We have a testimony. God has suffered unto us in the world, and it is our calling to share this with everyone. We do this best if we learn to not be ashamed of our faith, but claim it. Live out of it. 

Jesus calls a tax collector, Levi, to be among his disciples. To show his appreciation, Levi throws a banquet feast. The Pharisees get frustrated with Jesus’ willingness to associate with tax collectors and say as much. Jesus’ response is something the church still needs to hear today. 

Jesus continues teaching to the tax collectors and sinners. He tells two incredible parables of sheep and coins getting lost and being found. Together these parables help us see that no matter how hard we try to avoid it, sin is part of the deal. We will lose our way. We must learn to see when we were (or are) lost, to admit we are sinners, and to repent so we can be found. 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son has enormous implications for our lives. Pastors Larry, Lacey, and Nate will each present this story from the angle of the father, oldest son, and youngest son. Together, all three characters experience something different around the table, and we need to hear from all three. 

Around the same dinner table as last week, Jesus kept teaching in parables.  This time, he tells the parable of a great dinner feast. For one of the few times in scripture, Jesus discloses in this story of the possibility of not everyone making it to the great banquet. Some people choose not to go. This parable is the closest we get to understanding Jesus’ thoughts on Hell. 

While Jesus was eating with Pharisees, he noticed something odd. The Pharisees immediately chose the seats of honor. Jesus takes this moment to teach them all about true humility. This lesson still applies today. 

While eating dinner at the house of a Pharisee, Jesus noticed a man with dropsy (physical ailment). He turns to the Pharisees and says, “I can heal him, but it’s the Sabbath. Is it lawful for me to do it?” What happens next is something we all need to learn. 

God is ready to send a Messenger (Jesus). He will perform a spiritual alchemy for the world. Spiritual alchemy is the boiling down of our spiritual malpractices and letting the Holy Spirit create in us something new. We will know something new is taking place when we begin to see new works emerge. One of the best ways to see these works is following how we spend our money. 

Perhaps the wildest prophetic book comes to a close with the dream that we can return to Eden. Coming right on the historical heels of Haggai, Zechariah paints a scene for the the Messianic figure’s return to a newly rebuilt Jerusalem and calls this Eden. With wild dreams and crazy predictions, Zechariah helps reorient Israel’s focus from the present to the future. 

Habbakuk is fed up with waiting on God. The destruction of Israel and the sinfulness of other nations is too much to stay silent about . . . so Habbakuk laments. Through lamenting, he arrives on a firmer foundation and by the start of the second chapter he is ready to stand on a watchtower and wait. By the beginning of Chapter 3, he is fully on board with God’s plan and has the endurance to wait. Habbakuk shows us a wonderful process for grief that still applies today.