The Healing Begins At Home There are few places more personal than our homes. This is where life unfolds. The home is where we eat, rest, laugh, argue, pray, and carry our burdens. It is where we are most ourselves. When someone is coming over, we usually take a moment to straighten things up. Not... Continue Reading →
Demons in the Pew, Jesus at the Pulpit
Introduction: Last week, we followed Jesus to the Sea of Galilee, where He called Peter, Andrew, James, and John. At His simple command, “Follow Me,” they dropped everything. Today, the story continues. Jesus takes His new disciples into Capernaum. Just like in Nazareth, the first thing He does is head straight to the synagogue and... Continue Reading →
A Prophet Without Honor in His Hometown
Introduction In Luke 4, Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, not just as the carpenter’s son, but as the Spirit-filled messenger of God’s Kingdom. He stood in the synagogue where he had worshipped as a boy. He read from Isaiah 61. Then he said something surprising: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your... Continue Reading →
The Kingdom Has Come: Repent, Believe, and Live
I. The Message of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14–15; Matthew 4:17) When Jesus returns to Galilee, He doesn’t start his preaching ministry softly. He doesn’t warm up with parables or ease into the public square with gentle reassurance. His first words are a command that thunders with urgency: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at... Continue Reading →
The Three Temptations of Jesus
Introduction: Before Jesus preached a sermon, before He healed the sick, called the disciples, or walked on water, He went into the wilderness. He didn’t wander there by accident. Mark tells us in Mark 1:12, “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.” Now pause right there. That’s not how we usually imagine the... Continue Reading →