Podcasts about pastor stuart nice

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a Christmas message about when Mary received the promise from the Angel Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus, and Mary's response was, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to live in spiritual preparation, welcoming what God says about us, never fearing what God assigns to our lives, and simply giving ourselves to God's will.Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.https://bit.ly/Luke1_26-38ESV

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about giving thanks, and he led us in a practice of gratitude, declaring that gratitude precedes everything spiritual. Below are the notes outlining this practice of gratitude. Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.1. Pause2. Reflect3. ConnectPractice1. The Lord: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV) - Actions - Character2. People: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV) - Actions - Character3. Complaints: Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalms 55:22 (NIV) - Actions - Characterhttps://bit.ly/Ephesians5_20NLT

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, and along the way, he turned and addressed the crowd that was following him. Jesus challenges them to count the cost of being his disciple. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to return to Jesus, our first love, to restore our focus on Jesus, and to respond to Jesus' voice calling us to a life of transformation through surrender. Luke 14:25-35 (NIV)Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”https://bit.ly/Luke14_25-35NIV

On Sunday, November 3, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house. During the meal, Jesus instructed the people at the table to be generous when they throw a banquet, inviting those who are unlikely to be invited instead of those in their inner circle. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to keep an eye out for those who are considered “others,” to stop keeping score, expecting to be repaid, and to keep our focus on Jesus. Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”https://bit.ly/Luke14_12-14NIV

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house. During the meal, Jesus shared a parable about how people chose where to sit at a banquet, reminding them to choose a seat of lesser honor. That way, you could be invited to sit in a place of greater honor. From this, Pastor Stuart explains how humility is necessary for growth and is something that can be cultivated in our lives. Luke 14:7-11 (NIV)When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”https://bit.ly/Luke14_7-11NIV

On Sunday, October 13, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house. During the meal, as Jesus was being watched, he healed a man who was with them. Jesus used this situation to express that God values people over rules. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to examine our lives to see what we are letting into our lives that can become obstacles to our faith. He listed desiring the approval of others, making religion an end in itself, and protecting a calloused or broken heart. Luke 14:1-6 (NIV)One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say.https://bit.ly/Luke14_1-6NIV

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, and some Pharisees warned him that Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus replied by reiterating his purpose and his necessity to go to Jerusalem. From this, Pastor Stuart exhorted us to get bold about living, focusing our faith on our calling, and reconnecting with the Lord's longing through us. Luke 13:31-35 (NIV)At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'”https://bit.ly/Luke13_31-35NIV

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem. His disciples asked about who would be saved. Jesus answered, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.” From this, Pastor Stuart shares that our hearts need to be connected to what Jesus cares about, identifying when we are outside of God's plan, and evaluating if our focus is to know Jesus in the present. Luke 13:22-27 (NIV) Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.'“But he will answer, ‘I don't know you or where you come from.'“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'“But he will reply, ‘I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'https://bit.ly/Luke13_22-27NIV

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath and asked, “What is the kingdom of God like?” He then shared the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. From this, Pastor Stuart led us in a discussion on “What is the Holy Spirit Up To?” He reminded us that God's kingdom is counterintuitive and that small things have a great impact. The Holy Spirit uses what little we have, our prayers, talents, and resources, and makes them great in God's kingdom, all the while leading us into new ways of transformation. As a benediction, Pastor Stuart shared a song – Come Jesus Come by Stephen McWhirterhttps://youtu.be/UViC6DllCeALuke 13:18-21 (NIV) Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”https://bit.ly/Luke13_18-21NIV

On Sunday, September 15, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath and healed a woman who had been physically afflicted for eighteen years. He then taught the people about compassion. From this Pastor Stuart encourages us to have compassion for people and see them as God does, understanding that compassion reveals God's kingdom and sets people free. Luke 13:10-17 (NIV) On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.https://bit.ly/Luke13_10-17NIV

On Sunday, September 8, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples, with the crowds listening in, about current events and how to make sense of them and walk through them. From this Pastor Stuart encouraged us to not get lost in theology (figuring it out), but rather to adopt an eternal perspective of life and use the bad to cultivate the good. Luke 13:1-8 (NIV)Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'“‘Sir,' the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it.https://bit.ly/Luke13_1-8NIV

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples, with the crowds listening in, about why he came, what his ministry would produce, and how to interpret the signs of the times. From this teaching, Pastor Stuart shared seven questions that we could use to discern our spiritual seasons. 1. What is the Lord judging or purifying in you?2. Where do you feel constrained until you commit?3. Where is there unrest and lack of peace?4. Where is there division with others?5. Where are you aware of the Holy Spirit?6. Where are you holding God back?7. Where are you withholding from God?Luke 12:49-59 (NIV)“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”Interpreting the TimesHe said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It's going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It's going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?“Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”https://bit.ly/Luke12_49-59NIV

On Sunday, August 25, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples with the crowds listening in about how to be faithful in service, understanding the consequences and blessings of obedience. From this passage, Pastor Stuart encourages us to develop a faithful and wise stewardship, living with an urgency to bless, and taking stock of what the Lord has entrusted to us. Luke 12:41-48 (NIV) Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. “The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. https://bit.ly/Luke12_41-48NIV

On Sunday, August 18, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus teaches his disciples about not fearing the future or worrying about provision, but rather receiving God's kingdom, being prepared to serve, and knowing that God will provide all things. From this, Pastor Stuart encourages us to trust in the Lord for our future, making time for devotion by reducing our interaction with the world and embracing the future that Jesus is revealing for us. Luke 12:32-40 (NIV)“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”https://bit.ly/Luke12_32-40NIV

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus teaches his disciples about worry, anxiety, faith, and the treasure of the heart. From this, Pastor Stuart shares that worry comes from believing that we don't have enough security and resources. Instead, we are encouraged to discover the pleasure of God's heart which is to give us the kingdom. Lastly, we must examine our hearts. What do we hold as treasure there?At the end of the message, Pastor Stuart shared a song – Daily Bread, by Pat Barrett & Kari Jobe.https://youtu.be/zWt4-_UKM5ULuke 12:22-34 (NIV) Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.https://bit.ly/Luke12_22-34NIV

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus, after leaving a meal with the Pharisees, begins to be surrounded by thousands of followers. As Jesus interacted with the crowd, he shared the parable of the rich fool where a man's greed cost him his life. From this, Jesus encouraged his followers not to worry about their daily needs, for God will care for them. Pastor Stuart encouraged us to reflect on what we allow to influence our hearts, to protect our hearts by aligning with God's will, and to strive to reconnect with Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Luke 12:13-22 (NIV)Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'“Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”'“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.https://bit.ly/Luke12_13-22NIV

Note: Please forgive the auto-focus box moving on the screen around Pastor Stuart's face. We hope it doesn't detract from the message. Thank you.On Sunday, July 28, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus, after leaving a meal with the Pharisees, begins to be surrounded by thousands of followers. In that moment, Jesus teaches his disciples about hypocrisy and the perils of living a double life. From this story, Pastor Stuart encourages us to live our lives in the light, to make honoring God our focus, and to know our value in God's eyes. Luke 12:1-7 (NIV)Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.https://bit.ly/Luke12_1-7NIV

On Sunday, July 21, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house and he chose to not wash his hands, which led to a teaching opportunity. After instructing them about religious practices, he began to declare a list of “woes” that the Pharisees had incurred upon themselves. Today we looked at three woes. The Woe of Misguided Tithing, the Woe of Seeking Attention, the Woe of Hidden Judgements, and the Woe of Unattainable Expectations. From Jesus' pronouncements, we can take a moment to examine our spiritual life by reflecting on our practices, evaluating to see if they express God's love as we love one another, and seeking the Holy Spirit to restore our practices in light of the kingdom of God. Luke 11:42-46 (NIV)“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.“Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.”Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.https://bit.ly/Luke11_42-46

On Sunday, July 7, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house and he chose to not wash his hands, which led to a teaching opportunity. Just as Jesus surprised the people at the dinner, he also uses everyday situations to surprise us and lead us into teachable moments. He then got to the heart by using straightforward language with them. Likewise, Jesus desires that we grow in uprightness and lovingkindness and will speak directly to our hearts to bring the necessary changes to our lives. Lastly, religious practices are designed to draw our hearts back to God through faith, and as such, spiritual practices are a gateway to freedom not an obligation to be bound to.Luke 11:37-42 (NIV) When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.https://bit.ly/Luke11_37-42NIV

On Sunday, June 9, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was preaching to the crowds and challenged them regarding their faith. From this story, we see that we have the opportunity to embrace the tension that we believe and unbelieve at the same time. When we acknowledge this dichotomy, we can focus on God's ability to meet our needs and return to the Lord in faith, walking boldly in God's promises for us.Luke 11:29-32 (NIV)As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.https://bit.ly/Luke11_29-32NIV

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples about spiritual opposition by refuting the people who were listening to him speak, saying that one can only drive out a demon by the power of God. From this story, Pastor Stuart shared that when we experience spiritual opposition, we need to reestablish unity within our relationship with Jesus by choosing to simply trust Jesus, our Savior, re-securing our identity in Christ, and renewing our focus on kingdom purposes. Jesus said a house divided will fall. When we align ourselves with Jesus and God's kingdom, we stand in the power of God and can be strong spiritual opposition. Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.Luke 11:14-23 (NIV)https://bit.ly/Luke11_14-23NIV

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to be bold in prayer, trusting that God, the Father, is good and will meet their needs, even giving them his presence, the Holy Spirit. From this story, we are encouraged to be audacious in prayer, knowing that God will welcome us anytime for any reason. We can also trust that God's will is to give us good things, especially the Holy Spirit. Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)https://bit.ly/Luke11_5-13NIV

On Sunday, October 8, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus asked his disciples who the people said he was and then predicted his death. From this passage, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to check our influences and come to the conclusion that Jesus is Lord. We must also remember that even though the circumstances may be different than we expect, it doesn't change the fact of Jesus' role in our lives. Luke 9:18-22 (NIV)Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “God's Messiah.”Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”https://bit.ly/Luke9_18-22NIV

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus when he fed the five thousand in a remote place. We are encouraged to flip our perspective from the natural to the supernatural, focusing on the way Jesus sees things, and then to follow his plans. Luke 9:10-17 (NASB)When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. And taking them with Him, He withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and He welcomed them and began speaking to them about the kingdom of God, and curing those who had need of healing.Now the day was ending, and the twelve came up and said to Him, “Dismiss the crowd, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; because here, we are in a secluded place.” But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” But they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” (For there were about five thousand men.) But He said to His disciples, “Have them recline to eat in groups of about fifty each.” They did so, and had them all recline. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He blessed them and broke them, and gave them to the disciples again and again, to serve the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.https://bit.ly/Luke9_10-17NASB

On Sunday, September 24, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus when he called the twelve disciples together and sent them out to proclaim God's kingdom. We also see that Herod was confused by Jesus' ministry and wanted to see him. From this, we look at the fact that we are in a conflict between allegiances and our dependence upon Jesus testifies to the unstoppable nature of the Gospel. Luke 9:1-9 (NASB)Now He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and the power to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. And as for all who do not receive you, when you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” And as they were leaving, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.https://bit.ly/Luke9_1-9NASB

On Sunday, September 17, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus when he healed a 12 year old girl, the daughter of a synagogue leader. While Jesus was on his way to heal the girl, a woman who was very sick grabbed the edge of his robe and was subsequently healed. From this story, we are encouraged to focus on Jesus first, placing our faith in Jesus by making him first in our lives, and realizing that there is more than just what we can see and Jesus has the authority to effect change that we cannot. Luke 8:40-48 (NIV)Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”https://bit.ly/Luke8_40-48NIV

On Sunday, September 10, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus when he interacted with the demon-possessed man from whom he cast out the demons into a herd of pigs. In this story we see Jesus' authority over the devil, understanding that the Christian life is a life of warfare, and that we need to be responsive to Jesus our deliverer. Luke 8:34-39 (NIV)When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.https://bit.ly/Luke8_34-39NIV

On Sunday, September 3, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus calming the storm as he and his disciples traveled across the lake. The faith that Jesus is building in us is one that goes beyond our boundaries, trusts within the storms, and understands his authority. Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we're going to drown!”He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”https://bit.ly/Luke8_22-25NIV

On Sunday, August 27, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' Parable of the Lamp and his exchange regarding his mother and brothers. From these passages we are encouraged to develop our hearing to respond to God's word, to repent by aligning our hearts to the Lord's will, and to relate in love to those around us. Luke 8:15-21 (NIV)But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.”https://bit.ly/Luke8_15-21NIV

On Sunday, August 20, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' Parable of the Soils. Each of the four soils represents our hearts and how we engage with the devil, testing and temptations, the world, and with God. Jesus' heart for us is, through God's grace, to develop a heart that is supple and fertile for God's work in our lives. Luke 8:11-15 (NIV)“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.https://bit.ly/Luke8_11-15NIV

On Sunday, August 13, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' effectiveness in ministry. Luke's Gospel takes a moment to step back and reflect on the lives that Jesus had touched, reconnecting them to the mission of the kingdom with a sense of renewal as they worked and walked alongside Jesus. This is an invitation for us to pause, reflect, and recalibrate our lives to God's calling for us. This is also an opportunity to reconnect with those in your community, which is a means of personal renewal. Luke 8:1-3 (NIV) After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.https://bit.ly/Luke8_1-3NIV

n Sunday, August 6, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' experience while having dinner at a Pharisee's house, when a woman honored him by anointing and washing his feet, which was seen as an act of worship. In this message, we explored what it means to worship, the issues of misjudging, and the price of peace. Luke 7:36-38, 50 (ESV) One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.…And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”https://bit.ly/Luke7_36-38_50ESV

On Sunday, July 30, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' teaching about the purposes of God. The ones who knew they were at cross-purposes to God's ways, end up repenting. Those who think they are doing everything right, don't feel they need to repent. We all have places where we reject God's purposes for us and we play games with God, thinking that we are clever. Embracing God's purposes for us requires that we change our mind, focus our perspective, and believe that God's ways are best for us. Luke 7:29-35 (NIV)All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:“‘We played the pipe for you,and you did not dance;we sang a dirge,and you did not cry.'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”https://bit.ly/Luke7_29-35NIV

On Sunday, June 11, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about loving your enemies and regarding them as friends because our enemies reveal our hearts, God's heart, and they set you free to become like Jesus. “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.Luke 6:27-36 (NIV)https://bit.ly/Luke6_27-36NIV

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' first public teaching, continuing with the final passages of the Beatitudes about enduring rejection for Jesus' sake. Jesus teaches that rejection will come to those whose lives are dedicated to the Lord. We are part of a long line of those who know rejection, but who have also turned that rejection into an opportunity to rejoice. Jesus reminds us that our rejection in this world will result in a blessing in God's kingdom and in heaven to come. Luke 6:22-23, 26 (NIV)Blessed are you when people hate you,when they exclude you and insult youand reject your name as evil,because of the Son of Man.“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.https://bit.ly/Luke6_22-23_26NIV

On Sunday, May 28, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' first public teaching, continuing with the passage after the Beatitudes about loving your enemies. Jesus teaches that we have the opportunity to break the cycle of violence by loving, serving, blessing, and praying for those who hate and mistreat us. This is the Gospel way of God's kingdom.“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)https://bit.ly/Luke6_27-28NIV

On Sunday, May 14, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about Jesus' first public teaching, which is the Beatitudes, and explains how to know we are blessed. 1. The blessed know their need for God. 2. The blessed long for connection with God.3. The blessed trust God with the now and the future. Luke 6:20-21 (NIV)Looking at his disciples, he said:“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”https://bit.ly/Luke6_20-21NIV

On Sunday, May 7, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about how Jesus healed many people on one occasion. From this story, we see that Jesus wanted to teach his disciples how to see the people as he does, to see their needs, and to acknowledge Jesus as the source of their healing. Luke 6:17-19 (NIV)He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.https://bit.ly/Luke6_17-19NIV

On Sunday, April 30, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice led us through an exploration of three themes found in this passage. 1) The key to Jesus' life and ministry was prayer, submitting himself to God his Father. 2) When Jesus had important decisions, he would spend the night in prayer. Jesus' example is saying to God, “Not my will, but yours be done.” 3) The decision in this passage was for the Twelve Disciples, but we discover that we are chosen by God in Christ when people have prayed for us to know Jesus. Prayer is the key to bringing our loved ones into God's family.Luke 6:12-16 (NIV)One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.https://bit.ly/Luke6_1-11NIV

On Sunday, April 23, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message reminding us that Jesus came to set us free from the Law. As we let Jesus set us free, we're invited to allow him to silence our inner critic. Finally, Jesus wants to lead us with love, grace, compassion, and truth so that we might be his representatives in our world. Luke 6:1-11 (NIV)One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.https://bit.ly/Luke6_1-11NIV

On Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared an Easter message encouraging us to expect a sense of disorientation when we experience life-changing events. Jesus promises us, though, that he will be with us and visits us in our hour of need by declaring, “Peace be with you!” Jesus desires for us to place our trust in him and shows us the path to follow that will lead us to deepen our trust in the Lord. John 20:24-29 (NIV)Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”https://bit.ly/John20_24-29NIV

On Sunday, April 2, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we look at the passage where Jesus talks about new wine skins. Jesus invites us to experience the new thing the Lord is doing in our lives and the renewal of broken parts of our lives. When we embrace the new thing, it establishes a new and living way as we walk in the new covenant provided by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Luke 5:33-39 (NIV) They said to him, “John's disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.”Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.'”https://bit.ly/Luke5_33-39NIV

On Sunday, March 26, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we look at the story of the calling of Matthew (AKA: Levi) and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus looks for mismatched callings and has a place for us on his team if we just follow him and realign our calling in Christ. Jesus sets aside the religious pressure to be judgmental and reminds us that we all need to come to him and change our lives by receiving his grace that empowers us to be like him. Luke 5:27-32 (NKJV)After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”https://bit.ly/Luke5_27-32NKJV

On Sunday, March 19, 2023, VLC gathered in person, which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we look at the story of Jesus forgiving and healing a paralyzed man who was let down through the roof by his friends to get to Jesus. Pastor Stuart encourages us to examine our faith by asking, are we judging Jesus, are we making a way to get to Jesus, are we embracing God's grace through faith? Luke 5:17-26 (NIV)One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”https://bit.ly/Luke5_17-26NIV

On Sunday, March 12, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we look at the story of Jesus healing a man with leprosy. Pastor Stuart likens leprosy to sin and shame and through Jesus' touch we have been forgiven and released from sin and shame. Even so, we have a choice to listen to our adversary (the presence of evil in the world), who wants to keep us bound to shame, or to the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of Christ's reconciling work that makes us new and free. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)Luke 5:12-16 (NIV) While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.Then Jesus ordered him, “Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.https://bit.ly/Luke5_12-16NIVhttps://bit.ly/2Corinthians5_17-19NIV

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we look at the story of Jesus calling Peter, James, and John. Pastor Stuart explains that we all have different comfort levels with Jesus. We may like to be close, or even closer to him. There are times though when we feel Jesus is too close. As we continue to walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will lead us in resolving our closeness issues with the Lord and guide us to a more fully surrendered life with Jesus.Luke 5:1-11 (ESV) 1. Close
On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 2. Closer
Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 3. Too Close
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.https://bit.ly/Luke5_1-11ESV

On Sunday, February 26, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we learn about Jesus' subsequent miracles of healing and delivering people from demonic oppression. In this passage, Jesus is revealed as God's son and by faith, people came to him to have their needs met. Those who saw Jesus for who he was were healed, delivered, and empowered to share the good news of Jesus.Luke 4:38-41 (NASB)Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's home. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and served them.Now while the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He was laying His hands on each one of them and healing them. Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” And yet He was rebuking them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.https://bit.ly/Luke4_38-41NASB

On Sunday, February 19, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we learn about Jesus' first miracle in Luke's gospel. This miracle introduces Jesus' power through his message, his person, and his purpose. We are encouraged to rely on and receive Jesus' power to bring freedom from the devil's influence and align us with Jesus' purpose to bring salvation, healing, and renewal.Luke 4:31-37 (NIV)Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are —the Holy One of God!”“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
https://bit.ly/Luke4_31-37NIV

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series “A Closer Walk with Jesus.” Today, we are encouraged to see Jesus, the Savior, in our midst, laying aside our spiritual pride, and instead exercising our faith to go where Jesus is leading. Pastor Stuart ended his message with a song – Jesus Have It All, by Jeremy RiddleSong: https://youtu.be/anz_4BZ1-2sSongs with lyrics: https://youtu.be/uOEFhAjfX4oLuke 4:22-24, 28-30 (NIV)All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn't this Joseph's son?” they asked.Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!' And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'”“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.https://bit.ly/Luke4_22-24_28-30NIV

On Sunday, February 5, 2023, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued our series about walking with Jesus by following Jesus' example of transitioning after being tempted and using it as a springboard for ministry by relying on the Holy Spirit's power to guide him into ministry situations and understanding the needs of others after having his own needs exposed in the wilderness. Luke 4:13-19 (NIV)When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisonersand recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free,to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”https://bit.ly/Luke4_13-19NIV