Podcasts about savior luke

Searching for the Savior (Luke 2:22-35) - Morning Sermon

First Sunday after Christmas, December 29, 2024 Our Christmas Series: The Gift of God. This service: God Gives Both Substitute and Sacrifice.First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9.Second Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18.Gospel and Sermon Text: Luke 2:41-52, Be Amazed by Your Twelve Year-Old Savior.Pastor Nate Kassulke

This sermon reflects on Simeon's encounter with Jesus in Luke 2, where he declares that seeing the Savior is enough to bring peace and fulfillment. It explores how Jesus reveals the thoughts of our hearts, exposing our need for salvation by contrasting His perfection with our sinfulness. Simeon's response shows that true satisfaction comes from Christ alone, who is both the light for the Gentiles and the glory of Israel, fulfilling God's promises to bring salvation to all. The message challenges us to let go of competing desires, embrace Jesus as our all, and live in the hope and joy of His promises, trusting in His Spirit to transform us.

12/22/204 - Chris Randall - Before the Manger - Worshipping the Coming Savior (Luke 1:46-56) by Faith Community Church of South Boston, VA

What began as a normal cable car ride across a Pakistani valley turned into a frightful ordeal. Shortly after the ride began, two supporting cables snapped, leaving eight passengers—including school children—suspended hundreds of feet in the air. The situation sparked an arduous twelve-hour rescue operation by the Pakistani military who used ziplines, helicopters, and more to rescue the passengers. Those well-trained rescuers are to be commended, but their work pales in comparison to the eternal work of Jesus, whose mission was to save and rescue us from sin and death. Prior to Christ’s birth, an angel instructed Joseph to take Mary home because her pregnancy was from “the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18, 20). Joseph was also told to name his son Jesus because “he would save his people from their sins” (v. 21). Yet, while this name was common in the first century, only this child was qualified to be the Savior (Luke 2:30-32). Christ came at the right time to seal and secure the eternal salvation of all who repent and believe in Him. We were all trapped in the cable car of sin and death, suspended over the valley of eternal separation from God. But in His love and grace, Jesus came to rescue us and bring us safely home to our heavenly Father. Praise Him!

  The post The Undeniable Savior – Luke 1:67-79 appeared first on Immanuel Baptist Church - Wausau, WI.

A long journey for Joseph and Mary walking from Nazareth to Bethlehem and then no room in the inn. What happened when Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son? December 15 2024 Music: CCLI License 20576625 - Let's Worship and Adore Him | unknown and Tom Fettke | Copyright Words: Public Domain; Music: 1997 Integrity's Hosanna! Music, and Curb Word Music

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December 8, 2024 - Rev. Alexander S. Brown

  The post Christ is the Sent Savior – Luke 1:46-56 appeared first on Immanuel Baptist Church - Wausau, WI.

Are you hopeless, burdened, feeling a need for a relationship with God or even doubting that there is a God? If so, then THIS episode is just for you! Listen free and discover a relationship with God. Follow Yeshua as He bridges the divide between sinful man and holy God! #God #life #love #news #jewish # Israel #earth #world #Bible #Jesus

Reading Luke 1:50-56 and finishing the Magnificat, the song of Mary, where she remembers God's faithfulness to His people, but the proud He has brought low. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Part 94 of "Luke: Mission to the World"

A Peculiar Death, an Empty Tomb and a Risen Savior (Luke 23:46–24:12) - Dr. Bill Cook

Three Words, One Savior (Luke 23:33–49) - Dr. Bill Cook

The Good Savior (Luke 6:5-11): 1. Does What He Teaches (vv. 5-7) 2. Defies Legalistic Harm (vv. 8-9) 3. Restores the Withered (vv. 10-11)  

Jason Seville, Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church

We must understand that our living, risen Lord is alive, active, involved and enthroned.

https://pastorsteverhodes.com/2024/02/25/shine-on-great-savior-luke-928-36-transfiguration/

Pastor Josh Daggett

Part 58 of "Luke: Mission to the World"

When Jesus Comes Will He Find Faith on the Earth? A Blind Beggar, a Rich Scoundrel, and a Gracious Savior (Luke 18:35–19:10) - Dr. Bill Cook

“Glory to God in the Highest”Luke 2:13-14In the Christmas story, there are a few words or phrases that stand out to us. They highlight those moments of special significance in the story of the birth of Christ. Over the five weekends in December, come and reflect with us on those moments, seeing how they encouraged and directed the hearts of the hearers and how their timeless message reaches us today.“DO NOT BE AFRAID” – Luke 1:30 -- The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.“BLESSED” – Luke 1:41-42 -- When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!“SAVIOR” -- Luke 2:11 – “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”“BEHOLD” – Luke 2:10 -- But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joywhich will be for all the people.“GLORY TO GOD” – Luke 2:13-14 -- And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

John Jackson

On the night of the Savior's Birth, His arrival was announced to Shepherds out in the fields. An exposition of Luke 2:1-20. ★ Support this podcast ★

On the night of the Savior's Birth, His arrival was announced to Shepherds out in the fields. An exposition of Luke 2:1-20. ★ Support this podcast ★

The glory and wonder of the incarnation of Christ!

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In Gabriel's announcement to Mary, we see the themes of Old Testament promises surface once again. The child born to Mary would be both human and divine. The "Seed of the woman" would be conceived apart from the agency of man. He would be a King from David's line who will rule that Kingdom forever. An exposition of Luke 1:26-38. ★ Support this podcast ★

Pastor John Brown | Luke 2:1-20 | Denia Community Church - Denton, TX | deniachurch.com

“BEHOLD”Luke 2:10In the Christmas story, there are a few words or phrases that stand out to us. They highlight those moments of special significance in the story of the birth of Christ. Over the five weekends in December, come and reflect with us on those moments, seeing how they encouraged and directed the hearts of the hearers and how their timeless message reaches us today.“DO NOT BE AFRAID” – Luke 1:30 -- The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.“BLESSED” – Luke 1:41-42 -- When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!“SAVIOR” -- Luke 2:11 – “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”“BEHOLD” – Luke 2:10 -- But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joywhich will be for all the people.“GLORY TO GOD” – Luke 2:13-14 -- And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

In Gabriel's announcement to Mary, we see the themes of Old Testament promises surface once again. The child born to Mary would be both human and divine. The "Seed of the woman" would be conceived apart from the agency of man. He would be a King from David's line who will rule that Kingdom forever. An exposition of Luke 1:26-38. ★ Support this podcast ★

This Sunday, on the third week of Advent, we look towards Christmas through the Gospel of Luke. The birth of Jesus was marked by a cacophony of songs and announcements regarding his coming into the world. We will explore the song Jesus' mother, Mary, sang upon hearing the good news of his birth and the part she was called to play. Mary celebrates the Lord's mercy to her and those who are to be saved by her Son and our Lord, Jesus.

“SAVIOR”Luke 2:11In the Christmas story, there are a few words or phrases that stand out to us. They highlight those moments of special significance in the story of the birth of Christ. Over the five weekends in December, come and reflect with us on those moments, seeing how they encouraged and directed the hearts of the hearers and how their timeless message reaches us today.“DO NOT BE AFRAID” – Luke 1:30 -- The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.“BLESSED” – Luke 1:41-42 -- When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!“SAVIOR” -- Luke 2:11 – “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”“BEHOLD” – Luke 2:10 -- But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joywhich will be for all the people.“GLORY TO GOD” – Luke 2:13-14 -- And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:11

“Blessed”Luke 1:41-42In the Christmas story, there are a few words or phrases that stand out to us. They highlight those moments of special significance in the story of the birth of Christ. Over the five weekends in December, come and reflect with us on those moments, seeing how they encouraged and directed the hearts of the hearers and how their timeless message reaches us today.“DO NOT BE AFRAID” – Luke 1:30 -- The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.“BLESSED” – Luke 1:41-42 -- When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!“SAVIOR” -- Luke 2:11 – “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”“BEHOLD” – Luke 2:10 -- But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joywhich will be for all the people.“GLORY TO GOD” – Luke 2:13-14 -- And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Part 1 - Savior: Luke 7-8 (Nate Edmondson) by Highlands Community Church

"Do not be Afraid" - Behold All Things NewLuke 1:30In the Christmas story, there are a few words or phrases that stand out to us. They highlight those moments of special significance in the story of the birth of Christ. Over the five weekends in December, come and reflect with us on those moments, seeing how they encouraged and directed the hearts of the hearers and how their timeless message reaches us today.“DO NOT BE AFRAID” – Luke 1:30 -- The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.“BLESSED” – Luke 1:41-42 -- When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!“SAVIOR” -- Luke 2:11 – “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”“BEHOLD” – Luke 2:10 -- But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joywhich will be for all the people.“GLORY TO GOD” – Luke 2:13-14 -- And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Sermon by Christopher Atkins on December 3, 2023. 

Welcome to Day 2214 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Does God Want – What is Discipleship – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 03/12/2023 What Does God Want? -  What is Discipleship? Last week, we moved beyond our story narrative overview of the Bible, answering the question: What does God want? The answer we discovered over the past seven weeks was that God wants you and everyone who will ever live. In other words, God wanted a human family. God wants co-workers to take care of His creation. God wants you to know/ who you are/ and why your life has value to him. /He loves you /and desires that you also love Him. So, we viewed an overall snapshot of the Good News last week. It is simple and yet very profound. What is the Gospel, the Good News? Now that we know what the Good News is, we move from the believing aspect, where we become members of God's human family, to the loyalty aspect, where we will focus the next two weeks on discipleship. First, we will look at ‘What is Discipleship?' and then move on to  “What Does a Disciple Do?” Last week, we learned that nothing we can do permits us to become part of God's human family except belief by faith in that Good News, which is: God sent his Son... Who was born in the line of David... As the man Jesus Christ... Who died for our sins... Who was buried... Who rose from the dead... That being acknowledged, believing the Gospel (Good News) is intended to be transformative. As we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:17. 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! You may recall the answer to this question. Earlier, I said that a disciple was a follower—specifically, a follower of Jesus. I defined “following” as imitating or imaging Jesus. Being “conformed to the image of Jesus” is our ultimate destiny (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18; Col 3:10). Our motive for imitating Jesus is not to make God love us, so he'll let us into His family. God already loved each of us “while we were still sinners” (Rom 5:8) and were God's “enemies” (Rom 5:10). We get to heaven—we become part of God's family—when we believe the gospel. Before that, we were lost, in need of a Savior (Luke 19:10), and alienated from God (Eph 4:18). When that was our situation, God loved us. He didn't wait until we cleaned up our act to love us. Our motive for imitating Jesus is not to keep God loving us, so we'll continue to be saved. (Key) That which cannot be achieved by performance cannot be lost by performance. Salvation has nothing to do with our worth or merit. It has everything to do with what someone—Jesus—did for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 21 For

Mike Salyer

Francis Schaeffers book, How Should We Then Live, was published in 1975. Francis Schaeffer was a theologian, philosopher, and a highly respected evangelical thinker in his day. In his book, Schaeffer shows how the decline of a society from the fall of Rome up through the twentieth century begins when that society shifts from Gods design for humans, and the rest of creation. Towards the end of his book, Schaeffer lists five attributes of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire that is true of any culture in decline; according to Schaeffer these are five signs of a society that is about to break down: A mounting love for affluence. A widening gap between the very rich and very poor with little to no middle class. An obsession with sex. Freakishness in the arts. An increased desire to live off the state. Out of our love for affluence, we as a nation are now 48.9 trillion dollars in debt with the average household debt owing to $14,241 in credit card debt, $58,112 in student loan debt, $31,142 in automobile loans, and $202,454 in mortgage debt. The middle class in America is shrinking, for it used to be that 61% of Americans made up the middle class, but that percentage has shrunk to 50% and looks as though it will continue to shrink. When it comes to an obsession with sex, very little needs to be said with the ever-increasing list of types of sexualities a person can identify with, the oversexualization of our youth, and gender reassignment. Now, in the arts, anything deviant can be passed off as art to the point where you can have Sam Smith dress up as Satan with his dancers performing promiscuous acts as part of an intentional satanic chorographic ritual for a song titled, Unholy. Sam Smiths performance was not the only deviant performance either. So, what does all of this have to do with Malachi 2:1-9? Without a right and proper fear of God, the heart becomes an idol factor that does not lead to life, but death. This is the human condition that has been our problem since Adam and Eve bit into the forbidden fruit. The root cause for Adam and Eves rebellion was the same for the Priests Malachi addresses in 2:1-9, and it is the same for us today: The root cause for mankinds rebellion is the absence of a right and proper fear of God. The Fear of the Lord Remember how Malachi 1:6 begins: A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. The priests did not honor or fear God, and the evidence for their lack of honor and fear for God was seen in how they worshiped Him. To fully grasp just how serious the lack of fear and honor the priests had for God was, we need to understand the type of fear and honor the priests lacked. The kind of fear for God that is expected from His people is not a fear that is contrary or at odds with genuine love. A biblical fear of God is not at odds with a love for God. We do not love God in the same way you love a sunset, nor is it the same kind of love that you have for your dog. To fear God is to love and enjoy God for all that He is. It is a love that truly appreciates and honors God as infinitely perfect and overwhelmingly beautiful in his holiness, righteousness, graciousness, justice, mercy, love, and majesty. In the words of Michael Reeves: In a sense, then, the trembling fear of God is a way of speaking about the intensity of the saints love for and enjoyment of all that God is.[1] Reeves points out in his book, Rejoice Tremble, that the fear of God, is not at all what we, with our cultures allergic reaction to the very concept of fear, might expect. Instead, we can say with Spurgeon that this is the sort of fear which has in it the very essence of love, and without which there would be no joy even in the presence of God.[2] Of the fear of God, Charles Spurgeon said, It is not because we are afraid of him, but because we delight in him, that we fear before him.[3] So that you can see what I just said from the Bible, consider the following scripture passages on the fear of the Lord: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Prov. 9:10) And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut. 10:12) Then you have this promise from the prophet Jeremiah concerning a New Covenant when God would address the problem with mans heart: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. (Jer. 32:38-40) What is it that would encourage the Priests to offer sacrifices before the Lord that he said he would never delight in? How on earth could they ever consider service to Yahweh as a burden? Why would they not listen to Gods word or give honor to His name? It is because they did not fear Him. What it Means to Delight in the Lord The presence of a right fear of God and a genuine love for God is to delight in God. This is what the priests of Malachis day did not do, and it is the absence of such delight in the true God for why cultures, nations, kingdoms, and empires crumble. It is a system failure in that the One, we live and move and exist (Acts. 17:28), is not delighted in because He is ignored. In ignoring Him, we live in a society that is drinking from the broken cisterns of affluence, sex, and self-assigned identity, be it sexual or national. Because our world is fallen, it is understandable that those who do not yet know God, do not delight in Him. But it is a great evil to know who God is and chose something or someone else to take His place. Of the people that should have known the joy of what it means to delight in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it was the priests. The purpose of the priests was that they served to mediate between the people and God just as Aaron did as he walked alongside Moses. In contrast to Malachis contemporaries, God said of Levi: My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name (v. 5). Who was Levi? Levi is the ancestor of Levites from whom all the priests came. You could not serve as a priest unless you belonged to the tribe of Levi. From Levi is a history of godly men who feared God more than they feared people and were known for speaking on behalf of God to the people. Concerning those who served God out of fear and love, God said, True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity (v. 6). The priests were known for guarding knowledge and the people at one point in time knew that they could seek the priests for guidance because it was clear that the priest was a messenger of God almighty (v. 7). Why? Because the legacy of Levi was that he delighted in the Lord! The relationship Levi had with Yahweh was one where he rightly feared and loved God while he stood in awe of His name. He stood in awe of the name of God! What does it mean to stand in awe of the name of almighty God? It is a type of fear that includes reverence, pleasure, joy, and a filial fear. Filial fear is the kind of fear experienced by a son for his father as they enjoy a healthy relationship with one another without the son confusing who it is that is in authority. In many ways, I had that kind of relationship with my father; I understood that although we were very close and that I could trust him, I also understood that I could not talk back or disrespect him. The line between father and son was always clear. God is all-powerful. God is all-knowing. God is all-present. God is just, He is wise, He is love, He is so much more, and He is holy. He is the One from whom heaven and earth recoil at His presence (Rev. 20:11), and before whom the prophet Isaiah heard the angels proclaim: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! and in response to the majesty of the Almighty, Isaiah responded: Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts (Isa. 6:3-5). Isaiahs response is what it looks like to stand in awe of God. To stand in awe of God is to understand who you are in light of who He is: Tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, The Lord reigns! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (1 Chron. 16:30-34) This is what the priests in Malachis day lacked, but of all the people in Jerusalem, the priests should have known better.What was true of Levis legacy was the antithesis of priests addressed here, for they were living in disobedience of the Lord. Instead of guiding the people of Israel, they were causing them to sin against the Lord. Instead of embracing the promises of God, they openly and defiantly violated the covenant of Levi. Instead of deciding cases with godly wisdom and impartiality, they showed favoritism and were unjust. Gods response to the priests disregard for His name is staggering: If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it (Malachi 2:23). The curse that God warned would come upon the priests are the curses God warned would come upon His people if they turned from Him in disobedience (see Deut. 28). The dung of the sacrifice was to be burned outside the camp of Gods people. With the threat of God to spread dung on the faces of the priests, was to say that their behavior was so repulsive to God, that they would remain ceremonially unclean and indefinitely unqualified to serve as priests. To spread dung on their faces was to cover the priests in their own shame for all to see, so God concludes: But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction (Malachi 2:89). What God wanted was the hearts of His priests, he did not need their worship. This is why His response to their lackadaisical and half-hearted worship in Malachi 1:10, Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand (Malachi 1:10). What the priests lacked was the kind of awe we read about in Isaiah 66:1-2, Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Conclusion So, what does any of this have to do with you Christian? We have a better Priest than Levi! Levi mediated the Old Covenant, but Jesus is not just any PriestHe is the High Priest of a better covenant: But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Heb. 9:1114) If you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the One whom God, made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21; NASB), you are a Christian. If you are a Christian, then what is written in 1 Peter 2:9-10 is true of you: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are Gods people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:910). Jesus is our High Priest, but He is so much more! He is the Almighty and the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:12-13). He is the Author of Life (Acts 3:15). Jesus is the Bread from Heaven (John 6:32), the Bread of Life (John 6:35), and the Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16). He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4), He is the Christ (Col. 3:15), and He is the Deliverer (Rom. 11:26). He is the Good Shepherd of the 23rd Psalm (John 10:11). He is the rightful Heir of All Things (Heb. 1:1-2). Jesus is the Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14), the Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69), and the Great I Am (John 8:58-59). He is the Light of the World (John 8:12), the Gate for the Sheep (John 10:7), the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), the True Vine (John 15:1), the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)! Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5), He is the Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8), and He is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:1-2). Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:1), He is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, He is the Savior (Luke 2:11), and He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). If Jesus is who He says He is, and you say that He is the sum of all that He is to you, then how are you living in light of His Lordship over your life? In this very moment, can you hear the Savior ask the following question directed at your heart? Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not what I tell you (Luke 6:46)? You, who are a priest before Jesus, are you listening to His words? Are you taking His life to heart? Do you stand before the Father and the Son with awe? Is your life motivated by a right fear and genuine love for the One who ransomed your soul and made you a son or a daughter? As His priests, we should be known as men and women whose lips, guard knowledge? Are you in a place in your relationship with Jesus that people are able to seek instruction from your mouth? Of those who know you, can it be said that you are a messenger of the Lord of hosts? In conclusion I leave you with two appeals from the Bible, the one is from Jesus and the other is about Jesus: From Jesus: Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. (Matthew 7:2123) From the Psalmist: Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:1112) Amen. Discussion Questions: Read Malachi 2:1-9 and Deuteronomy 28 as a group. In what ways is Deuteronomy 28 similar to Malachi 2:1-9? What does it mean to delight in the Lord? Pastor Keith said in his sermon on Sunday: To fear God is to love and enjoy God for all that He is. It is a love that truly appreciates and honors God as infinitely perfect and overwhelmingly beautiful in his holiness, righteousness, graciousness, justice, mercy, love, and majesty. How is this kind of fear different than the kind fear one might experience when facing their abuser? Based on what you know so far about the priests Malachi 2:1-9 addresses, do you think the above fear was missing in their worship? God said of Levi, that he feared me. He stood in awe of my name (v. 5). What does it mean to stand in awe of Gods name (hint: Read 1 Chron. 16:30-34)? In what ways can our worship reveal how highly or lowly we esteem Gods name? According to 1 Peter 2:9-10, the Christian is a priest as representative of Jesus Christ; in what ways does Malachi 2:1-9 challenge you in light of what you read in 1 Peter 2:9-10? How does Jesus as our High Priest (Heb. 9:11-14) encourage you as you strive to follow Him? Pastor Keith listed the following names and titles of Jesus (read them to the group): Jesus is our High Priest, but He is so much more! He is the Almighty and the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:12-13). He is the Author of Life (Acts 3:15). Jesus is the Bread from Heaven (John 6:32), the Bread of Life (John 6:35), and the Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16). He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4), He is the Christ (Col. 3:15), and He is the Deliverer (Rom. 11:26). He is the Good Shepherd of the 23rd Psalm (John 10:11). He is the rightful Heir of All Things (Heb. 1:1-2). Jesus is the Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14), the Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69), and the Great I Am (John 8:58-59). He is the Light of the World (John 8:12), the Gate for the Sheep (John 10:7), the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), the True Vine (John 15:1), the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)! Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5), He is the Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8), and He is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:1-2). Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:1), He is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, He is the Savior (Luke 2:11), and He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). In light of the above, read Luke 6:46-49. In what ways do you find Jesus words in Luke 6 challenging, frightening, or encouraging? In what ways do you believe God is challenging you so far in this Malachi series? Conclude with a time of prayer with your LIFE Group. [1] Michael Reeves, Rejoice Tremble (Wheaton, IL: Crossway; 2021); p. 52. [2] Ibid, p. 50. [3] Ibid.

Jesus gets up to read at synagogue and reads the passage of his choice, then interprets it radically, to say the least. Just when everybody's admiring Him, he ticks off the whole room and sends the crowd into a riot. All in a day's work. Meanwhile, Josh tries to buy fish bait at a bar and Rick crashes a party at a private club in Bangladesh. Turn your phasers to listen.