Jesus’ disciples ask him to teach them to pray. They are alert to the fact that John the Bsptist had done this with his disciples. It’s fascinating that these young men, stepped in the worship and Scripture of Israel with their access to Psalms, Lamentations and the intercessions of Daniel and Nehemiah needed help. I… Continue reading How do we pray when we find prayer hard?
Tag: Luke
Take them to Jesus and tell them stories
Luke begins his Gospel be telling Theophilus that his purpose is “So that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” What does he do next? Well, in our contemporary context, we would expect someone with that intent to begin to teach Theophilus some apologetics, to help him think systematically through… Continue reading Take them to Jesus and tell them stories
How do we let the preaching of God’s Word do its job?
I recently preached on Luke 8 which includes the parable of the Sower and Jesus’ follow on explanation about how parables work. The surprising thing is that when the disciples come to Jesus and ask him what the parable means, he doesn’t say something to the effect that parables are earthly stories with heavenly meaning… Continue reading How do we let the preaching of God’s Word do its job?
Jerusalem
I’m dropped off on Sunbridge Road, a little walk away from my destination. As I start walking, I see others who have parked their cars on one of the side streets. More join our procession as we get closer. Then we get onto Manningham Lane to be met by a much larger crowd still. It’s… Continue reading Jerusalem
Letting God’s Word do its work in the light
The other Sunday at church, I was preaching on Luke 8. We went for it and covered the whole chapter with its big stories and its big signs. We might wonder what those miracles in the second part of the chapter have to do with the parables at the start. Well, it struck me that… Continue reading Letting God’s Word do its work in the light
The parable of The Sower with wide angled lens on
My dad used to have an SLR camera. It was novel in those days to have a camera where the view finder looked directly down the main camera lens. It also mean that he could switch between lenses. A telescopic lens enabled him to focus in on detail in the distance, a wide angled lens… Continue reading The parable of The Sower with wide angled lens on
The blessings of the ascension
The conclusion to Luke’s Gospel helps us answer two important questions. Where is Jesus? And in response to this, where are we meant to be? Where is Jesus? The simple answer is that he is ascended. He is now in heaven. It’s that little, overlooked but crucial day in the Church calendar, perhaps because it… Continue reading The blessings of the ascension
Time to celebrate? Another Sabbath factor
Something struck me from Graham Alexander’s comments after Bradford City got promoted. He was asked if it would be down to business for the next season on the following Monday. He said that no, the players would enjoy the civic celebrations, have a short holiday together.and observe the fire memorial. Then it would be back… Continue reading Time to celebrate? Another Sabbath factor
More Faith
We are focusing more and more on the final journey into Jerusalem. Jesus will have joined the pilgrimage with those going up to the festival. This gave further opportunity for miracles, teazching and of course engagement with enquirers and opponents. 26.1 Read Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells another parable. Helpfully, Luke signposts at the start its… Continue reading More Faith
Finding your place in the best story (Luke 6:12-49)
My talk outline from last Sunday Did you spot that Luke has not just been telling us the story of Jesus? Two other stories …. “Blessed” -happy/favoured by God … I’m tempted to say “rested” Contrasted with woe Echoes of the blessings and woes/curses in Deuteronomy as the people are entering the land. It’s not… Continue reading Finding your place in the best story (Luke 6:12-49)
Faithroots 