Habakkuk starts Chapter 2 by expecting to receive an answer from God. This begs the question, how do we listen to God? What happens if God’s response is not what we expect? Are we willing to be challenged?
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In this chapter, we find God willing to go to great lengths to see justice prevail. But, the unfolding of God’s story seems incomprehensible to Habakkuk. The lessons we learn in this dialog teach us about the nature and character of God. The chapter ends with Habakkuk declaring that the Lord is in his temple. In other words, God is on the throne and fully in control.
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Join us as we study chapter two and consider the unique ways that God responds to injustice.
The book of Habakkuk is one of the Bible’s most interesting prophetic writings. Most oracles from prophets involve the prophet delivering God's message to people. Habakkuk is different in that it consists of the prophet talking to God on behalf of the people. Habakkuk’s complaint: Why does God allow injustice to go unpunished? God answers Habakkuk but the answer isn’t what Habakkuk expected. This answer starts a dialog in which God offers insight affirming that God not only cares about justice but assures that justice will prevail.
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We are starting this series on the eve of the 2024 presidential election. This study aims to reframe our focus from issues that often divide us to the ultimate issues of faith that should unite us. The lessons that Habakkuk learns in this writing are essential for believers to help navigate future difficulties by understanding that God is fully in control and that even though the day of calamity comes, a believer's trust can be placed in the Lord.
Why does evil seem to thrive? Does God even care? Why would God allow this to happen?
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Have you ever found yourself pondering the answers to these questions? You are in good company. Habakkuk, one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament, has a full-blown conversation with God about injustice. He questions, wrestles, pushes, and processes God’s response.
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In chapter one, Habakkuk lodges his complaint with God. A response quickly follows but God assures Habakkuk that he will not be able to comprehend the degree to which God will go to ensure that Justice prevails. As usual, God is correct.
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Join us as we study chapter one and contemplate what God has to say about injustice and what our response should be.
Every year at Community Life Church, we set aside at least two weeks to bring focus to our Recovery Ministry. Celebrate Recovery is an international recovery program that follows 12 steps linked to Biblical truth. We believe that every person is in recovery from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits The ultimate goal of this series is to normalize recovery and connect people to Jesus. For each of the two weeks, Celebrate Recovery volunteers will participate in various aspects of the services. Rolls range from greeting, opening prayer, and welcome to sharing a testimony.
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We invite you to follow this service and pay special attention to the testimony. We pray that you will discover someone who recognized their brokenness and decided to take steps toward healing. If you would like to find out more information about Celebrate Recovery or to attend a meeting click here, or for questions, you can email Steve.
Every year at Community Life Church, we set aside at least two weeks to bring focus to our Recovery Ministry. Celebrate Recovery is an international recovery program that follows 12 steps linked to Biblical truth. We believe that every person is in recovery from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits The ultimate goal of this series is to normalize recovery and connect people to Jesus. For each of the two weeks, Celebrate Recovery volunteers will participate in various aspects of the services. Rolls range from greeting, opening prayer, and welcome to sharing a testimony.
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We invite you to follow this service and pay special attention to the testimony. We pray that you will discover someone who recognized their brokenness and decided to take steps toward healing. If you would like to find out more information about Celebrate Recovery or to attend a meeting click here, or for questions, you can email Steve.
Every year at Community Life Church, we set aside at least two weeks to bring focus to our Recovery Ministry. Celebrate Recovery is an international recovery program that follows 12 steps linked to Biblical truth. We believe that every person is in recovery from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits The ultimate goal of this series is to normalize recovery and connect people to Jesus. For each of the two weeks, Celebrate Recovery volunteers will participate in various aspects of the services. Rolls range from greeting, opening prayer, and welcome to sharing a testimony.
<br>
We invite you to follow this service and pay special attention to the testimony. We pray that you will discover someone who recognized their brokenness and decided to take steps toward healing. If you would like to find out more information about Celebrate Recovery or to attend a meeting click here, or for questions, you can email Steve.
In this final week of our series covering the Gospel According to Luke, we will complete our study of this book. We will look at Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, including his death, burial, resurrection, and multiple appearances.
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Undeniably, chapters 20-24 line up closely with the other three Gospel accounts. The details highlighted might be presented differently, but the core of this last week of Jesus’ life is well documented. Jesus continued to level his frustration at religious leaders while preparing his disciples for what was next. The disciples followed Jesus with seemingly no concern for what the end of the week might hold. One can only guess what they must have felt when a simple trip to pray in a garden resulted in the arrest of Jesus. This late-night stroll would lead to unimaginable pain and loss for the disciples. Thankfully, the dark days of Jesus’ arrest, death, and burial were followed by his resurrection. Death was conquered, and Jesus was alive.
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As we consider these chapters, notice how Luke highlights the people who recognized Jesus as either innocent or holy. The outsiders, the outcasts, and the outlaws could discern that Jesus was sent by God. How did this revelation impact them? How would the world forever be changed? And what are we called to do with the knowledge of this incredible story? Luke paints a picture of Jesus spending his life pursuing those who were lost. Will we be willing to do the same?
In the third week of our study of T_he Gospel According to Luke_, we cover ten chapters from Luke 9:51 to 19:10.
In Luke 9:51, Luke transitions the ministry of Jesus from being centralized in and around Galilee to now on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus starts this journey by sending disciples ahead of him to prepare the towns and villages for his arrival. In doing so, the disciples learned to carry the Good News and practiced the lessons they learned. Conflict arises as Jesus intentionally confronts the religious leaders who were not caring for or reaching the lost. These clashes lead to a major disdain for Jesus by the Pharisees, the lawyers, and the Sadducees. Jesus uses this journey to Jerusalem to teach foundational messages about wealth, possession, faith, and discipleship. Sometimes, these messages were delivered employing teaching, but often, the point was made in a parable.
The ministry on the road to Jerusalem section of teaching ends as Jesus nears Jericho in chapter 19. Jesus makes one last big statement about his core belief for the lost by calling the chief tax collector, Zacchaeus, to follow him. Zacchaeus responds to the call with a willingness to make right all the wrongs he has committed against his fellow Israelites. Jesus reacts to his decision by reminding us in Luke 19:10 that “the Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost.”
As we consider these chapters, there is no denying that Jesus was on a mission. His heart was to reach the lost, and he was frustrated with anyone who stood in his way. This realization should cause us to stop and consider how we view our place concerning the lost and adjust accordingly.
The Gospel According to Luke, is a wonderful reminder that God sees those that society often overlooks. Luke provides a unique perspective on Christ’s ministry as he brings the outcasts, the voiceless, and the forgotten to the forefront. As a medical doctor and historian, his writings capture not only specific details that anchor events in a timeline but also provide insight into cause and effect.
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In this series, our plans and values will be challenged and possibly disrupted. Insiders will be forced to reconsider their place and evaluate the condition of their hearts, while outsiders will be given a welcome invitation to see their worth and potential in the eyes of a loving God.
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We'd like to invite you to follow along as we consider the writings of this non-Jewish, non-disciple believer in Jesus and his invitation to know Christ.
