Jerome Parker – Community Pastor
Jesus is coming back for his bride the universal church. The Invitations are constantly being sent out, the venue has been reserved, and the cake has been ordered, however the time of the wedding is still to be determined (TBD). From now until the bridegroom returns lets keep the vessel of our lives full of oil AND be intentional about showing others how to attain and maintain that same oil…. If we stay ready we ain’t got to get ready!!!!
Chuck Foreman – Teaching / Missions Pastor
Sometimes when it comes to actually, seriously, intentionally following Jesus we’re like the Runaway Bride. We’re excited about the dating, the engagement, the gifts, the fun, the attention—but when it comes to making it all the way down the aisle, to declaring our wedding vows and pledges with a view to a lifetime commitment, we’re not really down for that.
We like what God has to offer—his invitation to the wedding party, or maybe even his invitation to be his bride—as long as it’s on our terms. (more…)
Chuck Foreman – Teaching / Missions Pastor
Will the Kingdom be taken away from us too, or will we be the people who produce its fruit? (more…)
Chuck Foreman – Teaching / Missions Pastor
It’s not the ones who say they will obey who enter the Kingdom of God, but those whose hearts are willing to obey—the kind of King who rides into town and destroys their false religion, replacing it with love for the blind, the lame, the tax collectors and the prostitutes.
Chuck Foreman – Teaching / Missions Pastor
Are we grateful for what we have received or envious of what others have? Can we accept those whom we consider to be undeserving, who seem to have received more than we have—in this thing in which we all find ourselves— the Kingdom of Heaven? (more…)
Chuck Foreman – Teaching / Missions Pastor
We seem to specialize in making little messes into big messes when we don’t handle conflict well and when we aren’t willing to extend mercy to those who offend and hurt us. (more…)
Chuck Foreman – Teaching / Missions Pastor
When the Kingdom of Heaven comes to earth (and it has!)…When the Kingdom of Heaven shows up in your neighborhood or your family (and it should!)…When the Kingdom of Heaven barges its way into your church! (of all places!)… God’s next order of business is ALWAYS helping his own kids be OK with what he is doing—with whom HE has invited. You see, it’s always the family members who don’t like who has shown up for dinner!
We often find it difficult to accept people whom we believe have disqualified themselves from membership in the family, or who have not learned to behave as a true family member ought.
Intro to Jesus’ Stories: Crowds were traveling w/Jesus. He was teaching them. Unacceptable, disqualified people were gathering around to hear him. The religious community was upset, put out and ticked off!
GOD’s Story – The Lost Sheep, Coin & Son, Luke 15:1-32
His Point: God throws a party in heaven when he finds what was lost—when his flock and his coin collection are complete again, and when one of his children return home. He wants all of us to join in the celebration, not complain about his generosity.
In these stories, Jesus goes to great lengths to give us a crystal clear picture of the heart of God. How can we possibly miss him here? Do you see that the real choice we have to make is not whether we want to associate with the lost, mangy strays our Father is bringing home, but whether we want to associate with him? Because, this is who He/God is; it’s what he does!
What Older Brother/Pharisees like this need to understand that they are actually saying is this: “Since God will not be my kind of God, I will not be his kind of follower!”
This Jesus Story is a great opportunity for those of us who find ourselves playing the Older Brother role to repent of our older brother-ness. If we don’t, we’ll be left out of the celebration!
And if you know you are the Lost Son/Daughter in this story, Jesus wants you to know God, His Father, in a new way. God is the Daddy, maybe you never had, who isn’t just waiting on the front porch for you, he’s running to meet you even when you’re a long way off!
BIG Idea: Sinful, rebellious people, outsiders and misfits are precious to God. Some he pursues relentlessly, others he waits for patiently. He wants us who have not been lost and who have not strayed to celebrate the return of our younger bros/sisters, the lost and those who have strayed—and not complain about the generous love of our Heavenly Father.
