Luke – Page 39 – GaryCombs.org

Which Side of the Cross?

April 17, 2011 | Luke 23:32-43 | easter

Pastor Gary Combs concludes the three-part sermon series entitled “The Cross.” This message asks the question “Which side of the cross are you on?” Taken from Luke 23, the Gospel writer recorded that Jesus was crucified between two criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Luke wrote that the way each criminal responded to Jesus determined their eternal destiny. We are faced with the same choice. Which side of the cross will we choose?

“Everything written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again” (Luke 18:31-33)

April 17, 2011

Jesus told them this before entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, but they didn’t understand. They would before the week ended. Do you understand?

“Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation'” (Luke 17:20)

April 15, 2011

Where is the kingdom of God? It is found where ever Christ is King. You can’t have a kingdom without a king!

“If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31)

April 14, 2011

Neither the Written nor the Risen Word of God will save those beyond listening or conviction. Pray that their deaf ears are opened and their darkened minds enlightened, so that the spiritually resistant become receptive.

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full'” (Luke 14:23)

April 11, 2011

We have been commissioned to deliver Christ’s Kingdom Banquet invitations. Are you giving them out? Because Jesus wants His house full.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34)

April 7, 2011

What do you treasure most? House, car, clothes, jewelry, computer, or money in the bank? Do your possessions possess you? Or do you use your possessions to win friends for the Kingdom? What you value reveals your heart condition.

“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42)

April 4, 2011

Are you a Mary or a Martha today? Have you made the Lord your one thing or are you worried about many things?

“Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children'” (Luke 10:21)

April 3, 2011

When the 70 returned from witnessing, the Lord was overjoyed. That’s what you feel when you share the gospel, the joy of Christ!

“My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21)

March 28, 2011

How we respond to the Written Word reflects our relationship to the Incarnate Word. Those born again have ears attuned to the spiritual frequency of God’s Word and new hearts that beat to obey it.

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47)

March 27, 2011

Our love for Christ is connected to an awareness of our own sinfulness. As long as one speck of self-righteousness remains in us, love for the Redeemer will be lacking.