The Good News

Luke 4:14-21 (click to display NIV text)
Jan. 27, 2013
Pastor Dwight A. Nelson

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”

On Friday I asked the men’s Bible study group what they had experienced in times of returning to their hometown or to a family gathering after being gone for a time. For one the family had changed drastically in his absence and so there was no celebration of his return. For another, the town had changed drastically in the intervening years, so the setting for the reunion was almost unrecognizable. For several of us there seemed to be no change in the people of our hometowns or families, so they were unable to affirm that we in fact had changed, had grown, and become something other than the funny little kid they had known. So often, when you return home after being away, people do not know who you are; they only know who you were.

Jesus returned to Galilee. The first 3 ½ chapters of the Gospel of Luke take place in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the wilderness by the Jordan River. Now, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit.” He returned to where he had grown up after perhaps being gone for some time. The people ask, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” But now there is something different about him. We know from the first three chapters that he is the Son of God who will live by the Word of God. But the people of Nazareth do not seem to know that. Read more

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Stones to Bread, and Bread to Stones

Luke 4:1-13 (click to display NIV text)
January 20, 2013
Pastor Dwight A. Nelson

“The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: man shall not live on bread alone.’ “

Jesus faces three tests in the wilderness. All three are deceptive words from the devil that threaten his relationship with the Father. The temptations cast doubt on Jesus identity as the Son of God. This is the identity that has been established in the first three chapters of Luke:

  •  Gabriel announces it to Mary.
  •  Jesus demonstrates his relationship to the Father at the temple when he is twelve.
  • A voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love” is heard at his baptism.  It is written into the genealogy.
  • Jesus is the Son of God. Read more
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Winter Retreat: Refresh and Recharge!

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The Deacons are in the process of planning the Winter Retreat at St. Mary of the Lake Conference Center in Mundelein. The Streams & Pathways retreat has been a very meaningful experience for those who have attended in previous years. It is a retret designed to introduce spiritual practices to enrich your prayer life. Below is a link to sign up for the one day event, Saturday, February 9, 2013, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (including lunch). Please let us know if you think you will be able to join the group this year. 

WINTER RETREAT SIGNUP

Sign up Here!

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Winter Retreat: Refresh and Recharge!

, ,

The Deacons are in the process of planning the Winter Retreat at St. Mary of the Lake Conference Center in Mundelein. The Streams & Pathways retreat has been a very meaningful experience for those who have attended in previous years. It is a retret designed to introduce spiritual practices to enrich your prayer life. Below is a link to sign up for the one day event, Saturday, February 9, 2013, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (including lunch). Please let us know if you think you will be able to join the group this year. 

WINTER RETREAT SIGNUP

Sign up Here!

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The Son of God

Luke 3:21-37 (click to display NIV text)
January 13, 2013
Pastor Dwight A. Nelson

“And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ “

The voice from heaven says to Jesus, “You are my son,” and then goes on to say, “whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus had not yet begun his ministry; he had performed no miracles, forgiven no sins, taught no people. Yet God says he is well pleased with his Son, Jesus. It is this love of God, this affirmation of God concerning the identity of Jesus, which signals the beginning of the active ministry of Jesus. Darrell Bock writes, “This event does not make Jesus what he was not before, but recognizes that now the beloved Son will launch out into actively exercising the authority he possesses.” Read more

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