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Human nature often is attracted to big, flashy objects. As a child did you ignore the obvious socks/underwear gift boxes, but instead grabbed first the big wrapped present that resembled the latest gaming console? Sadly many Christians similarly ignore the Holy Spirit, even worse resist his influence for other worldly things. To be God's witnesses in the world requires the Holy Spirit to be active in believers; otherwise efforts are futile. In Acts 2, the retelling of Pentecost reminds us of the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, often neglected, but always present. "Resistance is futile!"

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

If God told you to do something so unbelievably difficult, how would you respond? In the case of Mary, a mere teenager, when an angel told her God was going to change her life forever, she answered, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." On top of that Mary sang a song of praise and gratitude. God chose Mary because she could handle the assignment. We will learn how to be more like her so God can use us for His purposes.

If God told you to do something so unbelievably difficult, how would you respond? In the case of Mary, a mere teenager, when an angel told her God was going to change her life forever, she answered, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." On top of that Mary sang a song of praise and gratitude. God chose Mary because she could handle the assignment. We will learn how to be more like her so God can use us for His purposes.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

How fitting that Luke finishes his book on the note of death and the resurrection of Christ. Two disciples are walking to Emmaus, talking about what just happened. And Jesus, the risen Lord, joins them, but they don't recognize Him. Why? Not because He was hiding - but because they weren't expecting HIs resurrection. Could it be that we don't experience New Hope and New Joy in our daily lives because we stopped expecting God to move in our ordinary lives. In today's message, we are going to learn that "resurrection" is not just something we believe in; it is something we live in!

How fitting that Luke finishes his book on the note of death and the resurrection of Christ. Two disciples are walking to Emmaus, talking about what just happened. And Jesus, the risen Lord, joins them, but they don't recognize Him. Why? Not because He was hiding - but because they weren't expecting HIs resurrection. Could it be that we don't experience New Hope and New Joy in our daily lives because we stopped expecting God to move in our ordinary lives. In today's message, we are going to learn that "resurrection" is not just something we believe in; it is something we live in!

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

Our child-like faith is to be dependent, humble, and persistent.

"""History is written by the victors!"" This saying implies that historical records often reflect the perspective of the powerful and can be incomplete or biased, ignoring the stories of the powerless. Unfortunately this can apply to Bible teaching like for this weekend on the Widow's Offering found in Luke 21. In our current series New Hope New Joy, we are seeing with new eyes Jesus' teachings in the Book of Luke that is consistent with his message of good news to the poor, the imprisoned, the sick and the oppressed. Come and see we have a God of Justice.

Have you ever dropped something small but valuable, like a diamond earring, on the floor? You search everywhere, on your hands and knees, even using a flashlight, desperately combing through the carpet with your fingers. It's trying to "find the needle in the haystack." Suddenly when you do find the lost earring, your heart leaps for joy. What was lost is now found. That's how God feels when someone turns back and returns to Him. Because we all matter to God. Come and see in the story of the Lost Son in Luke 15 God's amazing unconditional, even Reckless Love for His children. That's New Hope, New Joy!

When it came to John the Baptist, Jesus Christ said "he was of a great man!" His core message in conjuction with the symbolic baptism is one of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. In today's message we want to find out how we find "New Hope" and "New Joy" with a heart of repentance.

At the heart of Jesus' message is the truth that God SEEs us as deeply valuable, created in His image, and worth redeeming no matter our failures and brokenness. In this message, Jesus sees and welcomes a Levi the tax collector who was an outcast but give him "New Hope and New Joy" by renaming him as 'a gift!'

Jesus' message both confounds and delights. This was true for his original audience and it is true today. Jesus proclaims that he brings good news to the poor, sets the oppressed free and proclaims the Lord's favor (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus' original hearers were most surprised at the breadth and depth of God's inclusive invitation. God's good news invites us to see ourselves and others as deeply treasured and fully loved. Luke urges us to ""put ourselves in the story" asking when do I embrace this good news? Where do I resist it? How do I experience new joy and hope in Jesus and who in my life might receive this good news as well. We invite you to join us to see in Jesus, God's compassionate rescue and powerful grace. This is New Hope, New Joy.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.