Jeremiah 33:14-16A. INTRODUCTIONWe all go through rough patches from time to time; periods when everything seems to go wrong. And that could be for a variety of reasons.Our health or the health of a family member or friend could have been through difficult times....

Luke 19:28-23:56A. INTRODUCTIONFor many people, the Easter story is very familiar. The events come easily to mind. There’s the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which we celebrate on Palm Sunday. There’s the last supper on Maundy Thursday. There’s the betrayal and...

Luke 19:1-10A. INTRODUCTIONThese days there’s a lot of stress placed on the importance of success and power. For instance, if we watch the TV, read the paper, or go on the internet, we seem to be bombarded with images of people in power—those at the top of the rung....

Luke 17:11-19A. INTRODUCTIONIt seems to me that a sense of gratitude is one that gets short shrift in our society today. Some people just don’t seemed to be grateful for what they’ve got, or show gratitude for even some kindness given to them either. Indeed, it seems...

Luke 16:1-13A. INTRODUCTIONThese days, it is not unusual to hear stories of conmen. People who cheat others out of their savings; people who pad accounts; people who thin down petrol at the bowser; people who seem to appear with regular monotony on television current...

Luke 13:31-35A. INTRODUCTIONThere are people in life who appear to have only one thing on their mind—one thing that is at the centre of their attention; one thing that consumes all their time and thinking. For some it is politics. And I’m sure we’ve all come across...

Luke 12:13-21A. INTRODUCTIONIn a world in which there is a great divide between rich and poor—the haves and the have nots—the extremes of poverty and wealth have, perhaps, never been so great. Of course, it’s always good to have nice things around you, to live in...

Luke 11:1-4A. INTRODUCTION1. A New MinistryWhen you’re stating something new, it’s always hard to know where to begin. What should you talk about first? Should you talk about who you are and what makes you tick? Should you talk about hopes for the future and where you...

Luke 10:1-12A. INTRODUCTION1. An Employer’s DilemmaWhen an employer is looking for workers, there are a number of issues they need to consider. Issues like: the skills that are required; the training that’s needed; the sort of person who would fit into the existing...

Luke 9:51-62A. INTRODUCTIONNo one likes to be rejected. And, as a consequence, it is something that many people fear. But then, it’s natural to want to be liked, to want people to approve. Therefore, in a sense, it’s quite understandable when people try to avoid...