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Bible Readings for April 30, 2025

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The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, April 27, 2025

Easter is the most important day in the year, because we celebrate the most important event in human history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During this sermon series, we’ll consider five ways the resurrection can impact our lives. They include the following: 

• Living with Hope - April 27
• Living with Clarity - May 4
• Living with Purpose - May 11
• Living with Understanding - May 25
• Living with Courage - June 1

On Sunday, April 27, we focused on how we can live with hope, because the resurrection assures us that death is not the end but a passage to a new life in God’s presence, offering comfort and hope in times of suffering, pain, or loss.  Below is a  video of the service, the podcast of the sermon and the service bulletin. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.

Sunday's Message - Living with Hope

Easter is the most important day in the year, because we celebrate the most important event in human history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During this sermon series, we’ll consider five ways the resurrection can impact our lives. They include the following:

• Living with Hope - April 27
• Living with Clarity - May 4
• Living with Purpose - May 11
• Living with Understanding - May 25
• Living with Courage - June 1

On Sunday, April 27, we focused on how we can live with hope, because the resurrection assures us that death is not the end but a passage to a new life in God’s presence, offering comfort and hope in times of suffering, pain, or loss.  Below is the podcast and text of the sermon. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.

Now, I think we can all agree that Easter 2025 is over. And if you have any doubt, just take a trip to Walmart. When I was there on Thursday, it was actually kind of sad seeing all the Easter stuff marked down 50%. I mean, if that’s not a bunny bummer (something that’s very hard to say fast three times), I don’t know what is. And you know, what may make it even worse is knowing that all the stuff that isn’t sold in the next week will probably be shoved into the boxes for next year or simply tossed. No, we’re certainly living after Easter.

And I’ll tell you, that’s going to be our theme during five services between now and Pentecost on June 8. You see, we’re going to look at five ways our living can change because of the resurrection. For example, we’ll talk about how the resurrection can clarify our expectations and focus our purpose as well as how it can increase our understanding and courage. And in each of these messages, we’ll use some scripture from the New Testament that’s associated with the resurrection to understand better how we might live now that Easter is in the books.

And this morning we’ll start by looking at hope. You see, we’re going to use what the Apostle Paul wrote in the fifteenth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians to talk about how and why the resurrection can enable us to feel more hope as we go about our daily living. 

And you know, although it wasn’t intentional, we just went through three days that I think was really all about hope, and I’m talking about the NFL draft. I mean, it really doesn’t matter you cheer for the Eagles or the Titans, I think every football fan is feeling a little more hope today than they did on Wednesday, maybe with the exception of those who follow a team that didn’t draft a quarterback until the sixth round because they’re waiting for a forty-one year-old player who tore his achilles tendon a couple of years ago to make up his mind. But I won’t mention that player’s name. No, outside of those poor folks who could be stuck cheering for Mason Rudolph or Skylar Thompson or Will Howard in September, there’s a lot of hope among NFL fans at the moment.

And I’ve got to tell you, I think that’s great, because hope isn’t exactly flowing through our world right now. In fact, it’s not all that challenging to see plenty of reasons to feel a little bit pessimistic now-a-days. Good night nurse, just look around; things just don’t seem to be getting better, and when you add in all the personal stuff that sort of knocks us around, and I’m talking about things like health concerns and financial concerns and maybe most important of all, quarterback concerns, well, there’s little wonder that hope sure seems to be in short supply.

But here’s some good news, thanks to that first Easter, I don’t think that needs to be the case, at least not for us. And I’ll tell you, that’s what we’re going to talk about this morning. I mean, as I said, during this message, we’re going to look at the fifteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and we’re going to explore three reasons why I think the resurrection of Jesus Christ can enable us to live with hope right here and right now.

For example, first, I believe that hope is possible when we decide to trust that death has been defeated. And I’ll tell you why. When we believe that the power of death has been broken and its sting removed, we can now move into the future with confidence because the past is no longer that dark shadow hanging over our lives. And I’ll tell you, I think that was the Apostle Paul’s point when he wrote this to the Corinthians:

If we preach that Christ was raised from death, how can some of you say the dead will not be raised to life? If they won’t be raised to life, Christ himself wasn’t raised to life. And if Christ wasn’t raised to life, our message is worthless, and so is your faith. If the dead won’t be raised to life, we have told lies about God by saying he raised Christ to life, when he really did not.

So if the dead won’t be raised to life, Christ wasn’t raised to life. Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins. And those people who died after putting their faith in him are completely lost. If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else.

But Christ has been raised to life!  [1 Corinthians 15:12-20a, CEV]

Now that’s what Paul said, and just think about what it means. You see, without the resurrection, death is guaranteed to win in the end. Just like taxes, it’s something that can’t be avoided or ignored. In a sense, I think you could say that death is undefeated. And let’s get real, if this life is all we’ve got, with no hope beyond this mortal toil, what did Paul write, “we are worse off than anyone else.” [1 Corinthians 15:19b, CEV] No wonder he will write a little bit later, “If the dead are not raised to life, ‘Let’s eat and drink. Tomorrow we die.’” [1 Corinthians 15:32b, CEV] But listen to me, with the resurrection, man, that’s no longer true, is it? Death isn’t in control, and it sure doesn’t have the last word. As he wrote, “But Christ has been raised to life!” [1 Corinthians 15:12-20a, CEV] And because of that, again using Paul’s summary of a quote from Isaiah, “Death has lost the battle! Where is its victory? Where is its sting?” [1 Corinthians 15:54b-55, CEV] You see, because Jesus was raised, time has expired. The horn has sounded. And death lost.

And I’ll tell you, just knowing that can give us hope. I mean, not only does the resurrection remind us that life after death is possible, but we can also believe that when Christ died, so did we. And when Christ was raised, in a sense we were too, giving us the opportunity to live, and I mean, really live right here and now. You see, because of the resurrection, the mistakes of the past don’t have to distort the lives we live in the present. Why? Because some of our weaknesses and limitations that we normally carry around, man, they were nailed to the cross and wiped away by the empty tomb. In fact, it’s like what Paul said to the Romans when he wrote, 

As surely as we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. We know that death no longer has any power over Christ. He died and was raised to life, never again to die. When Christ died, he died for sin once and for all. But now he is alive, and he lives only for God. In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God. [Romans 6:8-11, CEV]

I’m telling you, I believe that we can live with hope when we trust that death has been defeated. And that’s the first thing we can find in the resurrection. But that’s not all.

You see, second, I think that we can also live with hope when we decide to trust that we’ll be raised too. And you know, I think that’s exactly what Paul was getting at as he continued to explain the resurrection to the Corinthians. Just listen to what he wrote:

But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ. Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us. But we must each wait our turn. Christ was the first to be raised to life, and his people will be raised to life when he returns. Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father.  [1 Corinthians 15:20-24, CEV]

Now that’s what Paul wrote, and I’ll tell you, in my book, this is really exciting. You see, the resurrection of Jesus started a process. He was the first fruits of a coming harvest meaning that the rest will be brought in later. In other words, because Jesus was raised from death to new life, so will we. And let me be clear, this possibility of new life isn’t grounded in a whole bunch of theology. It’s not based on some metaphysical reality. And it certainly doesn’t involve a mess of wishful thinking. No sir, our hope for the future is as concrete as an empty tomb and as real as Mary Magdalene hearing her risen Lord say her name. Why? Because just like his grave was empty, we can believe that one day ours will be too.

And you know, when we decide to believe this, all of a sudden our entire view of the future changes. I mean, let’s face it, death is the ultimate unknown, because it’s nothing we can experience while we’re still alive. But you know, since Jesus was raised as the first fruits and since he was raised at a certain time and place and since he was raised into a reality that we can understand, now we have a good reason to trust that not only will God do this for us, he’s also going to do it for those who’ve gone ahead, for mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters that we’re going to see all of them again when the harvest comes in. And you know, maybe that’s what Peter was getting at when he wrote this in his first letter:

Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear.

You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do. [1 Peter 1:3-5, CEV]

I’m telling you, I believe that we can live with hope when we decide to trust that just as Christ was raised to new life, so will we. And that’s the second thing we can find in the resurrection. But again that’s not all.

Because, third, we can live with hope because we can decide to trust that our future will be glorious, glorious because it’s grounded in God himself and glorious because we’ll have the chance to share it with everybody we’ve loved. I mean, just listen to how Paul described this resurrected future as he continued his explanation to the Corinthians:

Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power, and the last enemy he destroys will be death. When the Scriptures say he will put everything under his power, they don’t include God. It was God who put everything under the power of Christ. After everything is under the power of God’s Son, he will put himself under the power of God, who put everything under his Son’s power. Then God will mean everything to everyone. [1 Corinthians 15:25-28, CEV]

My gosh, “Then God will mean everything to everyone;” [1 Corinthians 15:28b, CEV] now, that’s what Paul said. And I’ll tell you, it sounds a lot like what he wrote to the Philippians when we said that, after death has been defeated and after we’ve been raised as Christ was raised, the time would come when “...at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’” [Philippians 2:10-11, CEV] I’m telling you, that’s not just what’s going to happen to us. It represents the ultimate destiny of all creation.

And you know, when times get tough, this is a vision we need to claim. I mean, even though things may be happening that we neither understand nor like, this isn’t the way things end. And even though we may face more than our share of problems and pain along the way, this is not our ultimate destiny. And even though we may be struggling with death itself, believe the good news, this is not how our story ends. You see, because of the resurrection, life isn’t just a repetitive and almost meaningless series of highs and lows, gains and losses, success and failures, birth and death. Instead, it’s a journey with a definite beginning and a definite ending. And as we look to that end, I’m telling you, this is the vision we can claim, one about which that John of Patmos wrote,

I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and so had the sea. Then I saw New Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband.

I heard a loud voice shout from the throne:

God’s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever. [Revelation 21:1-4, CEV]

I’m telling you, I think that we can live with hope when we decide to trust that the future, our future will be glorious. And that’s the third thing we can find in the resurrection. 

Last evening the NFL draft ended. And since not a single snap will be taken in a real game for four months, I think the fans of nearly every team have good reason to be hopeful. Man, they have some new players which means they have all kinds of new possibilities. Of course, for some, that’s going to change by the middle of October, and they’ll start looking forward to the possibility of getting Arch Manning during the 2026 NFL draft right here in Pittsburgh. That’s just the way it is. Their hope will be gone. But you know, that shouldn’t be the case as we move past our celebration of the resurrection. You see, we can decide to trust that death has been defeated and we can decide to trust that, just like Jesus was raised, we’ll be raised too and we can decide to trust that our future will be glorious. You see, after Easter, we can decide to live with hope. 

Bible Readings for April 29, 2025

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Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

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Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service

On Sunday, April 27, Sligo Presbyterian Church will lift to God the following needs:

• Amy Milanovich
• Angel Wright
• Angela Zitman
• Barbara Yarchuk
• Betty Milanovich
• Betty Phillips
• Betty Terwint
• Bill Wingard
• Bob Varner
• Bus's Sister-in-Law
• Butch, Betsy's brother
• Butch, Cass's brother
• Cara Maguire Defibaugh
• Chris Sibert
• Corbin
• Dan Kemp
• Dan Wallace
• Denny Myers
• Duane Quinn
• Gabe
• Jane
• Jason
• Jayden Shorts
• Jeb Rapp
• Jim Mahle
• Jim Mason
• Joann Klamer
• Jodi McNaughton
• Jordan Myers
• Lana Todd
• Landdon Chalmers
•  Leah
• Len Gaulin
• Levi Jack
• Libby Miller
• Lori Myers
• Madilyn Sherman
• Margie Henry
• Mary Lou McCormack
• Mason Martin
• Matt
• Michael Curran
• Nancy Blauser
• Nancy Wilson
• Patty Divins
• Robb Summerville
• Roberta Fetterman
• Robyn Bartmas
• Ron & Shelly Haines
• Ron Lerch
• Rowan Pinson
• Rudy
• Ryan Cornecki & Family
• Sam & Carol Mason
• Tadd French
• The Bus Clark Family
• Van Watkins
• Wes Summerville
• Zach Schieberl

The Bulletin for the SPC Worship Service - Sunday, April 27, 2025

Easter is the most important day in the year, because we celebrate the most important event in human history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During this sermon series, we’ll consider five ways the resurrection can impact our lives. They include the following:

• Living with Hope - April 27
• Living with Clarity - May 4
• Living with Purpose - May 11
• Living with Understanding - May 25
• Living with Courage - June 1

On Sunday, April 27, we'll focus on how we can live with hope. The resurrection assures us that death is not the end but a passage to a new life in God’s presence, offering comfort and hope in times of suffering, pain, or loss.  Below is the bulletin for the service. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.

Faces in the Crowd: Characters in the Story of Jesus (James, John, Thomas, Philip, and the Rest)

Although the life and work of Jesus Christ is the focus of the gospels, other characters play a role in his story. During fifteen sessions, we’re looking at the following individuals and groups who encountered Jesus as he moved from birth to the cross. During the series, we'll look at the following persons:

• Session 1 - Mary, the Mother of Jesus
• Session 2 - John the Baptist
• Session 3 - Nicodemus
• Session 4 - Mary Magdalene
• Session 5 - Simon Peter (Part 1)
• Session 6 - Simon Peter (Part 2)
• Session 7 - Simon Peter (Part 3)
• Session 8 - Matthew and the Tax Collectors
• Session 9 - James, John, Thomas, Philip, and the Rest
• Session 10 - Judas
• Session 11 - The Scribes, Pharisees and Teachers of the Law
• Session 12 - The Herods
• Session 13 - Pilate and the Other Romans
• Session 14 - The Crowds
• Session 15 - The Rich Young Ruler and His Friends

In our ninth session, we looked at James, John, Thomas, Philip, and the rest of the Apostles. A recording of our discussion and some of the passages we discussed are below.

The Apostles are listed in Mark, Matthew and Luke. 

Mark 3:16-18: So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder), nd Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who handed him over.

Matthew 10:2-4: These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

Luke 6:14-16: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot,  and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

John & James are mentioned in all four gospels. 

Mark 1:19-20: As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Mark 3:17: James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder),

Mark 5:37: He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.. 

Mark 9:2-8: Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling bright, such as no one on earth could brighten them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.  Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

Mark 10:35-37: James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Appoint us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.. 

Mark 13:3: When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,. 

Mark 14:32-34: They went to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” 

Matthew 4:18-22: As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 10:2-4: These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. 

Matthew 17:1-8: Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

Matthew 26:36-37:  Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated.

Luke 5:10: ...and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”

Luke 6:14: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,

Luke 8:51: When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James and the child’s father and mother.

Luke 9:28-36: Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Luke 9:53-56: but they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

John 13:23: One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.

John 19:26: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son." 

John 20:2: So, he got up and went to the tomb. Simon Peter followed him.

John 21:7, 20, 24: That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. ...Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ...This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.

The Apostle Thomas appears only in the list in Mark, Matthew and Luke but a larger role in the Gospel of John. 

John 11:16: Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 

John 14:5: Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

John 20:24-29: But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

The Apostle Philip appears only in the list in Mark, Matthew and Luke but a larger role in the Gospel of John. 

John 1:43-46: The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

John 6:5-6: When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.

John 12:20-22: Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

Bible Readings for April 25, 2025

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for April 25, 2025:   Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Judges 4:1–5:31; Luke 22:35-53; Psalm 94:1-23; and Proverbs...

On the Road to Jerusalem: A Study of Luke (Conflicts and Controversies - Luke 11:14-54)

Join us as we use the Gospel of Luke to discuss the journey made by Jesus Christ to the city of Jerusalem, from his birth to his ascension. During our time together, we’ll look at the following:

• Session 1 - The Announcements (Luke 1:1-56)
• Session 2 - The Births (Luke 1:57–2:21)
• Session 3 - Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-52)
• Session 4 - The Ministry of the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)
• Session 5 - Jesus is Identified (Luke 3:21–4:13)
• Session 6 - Off and Running (Luke 4:14–5:16)
• Session 7 - Early Controversies (Luke 5:17–6:11)
• Session 8 - Choosing and Preparing the 12 (Luke 6:12-49)
• Session 9 - The Christ (Luke 7:1-50)
• Session 10 - Hearing and Doing (Luke 8:1-21)
• Session 11 - Revealing the Power of God (Luke 8:22-56)
• Session 12 - You Are the Christ of God (Luke 9:1-27)
• Session 13 - A Different Kind of Christ (Luke 9:28-50)
• Session 14 - Beginning the Journey (Luke 9:51–10:24)
• Session 15 - Love of God and Neighbor (Luke 10:25-42)
• Session 16 - Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)
• Session 17 - Conflicts and Controversies (Luke 11:14-54)
• Session 18 - Getting Ready [Part 1] (Luke 12:1-34)
• Session 19 - Getting Ready [Part 2]  (Luke 12:35–13:9)
• Session 20 - Unexpected Reversals (Luke 13:10-13:35)
• Session 21 - Kingdom Etiquette (Luke 14:1-35)
• Session 22 - Parables of Joy (Luke 15:1-32)
• Session 23 - The Problem with Wealth (Luke 16:1-31)
• Session 24 - Forgiveness and Faith (Luke 17:1-19)
• Session 25 - The Kingdom Is Coming (Luke 17:20–18:8)
• Session 26 - Rich and Poor (Luke 18:9-18:30)
• Session 27 - Approaching the City (Luke 18:31–19:28)
• Session 28 - The Entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:29-48)
• Session 29 - Jesus in the Temple Again (Luke 20:1–21:4)
• Session 30 - The Coming End (Luke 21:5-38)
• Session 31 - The Last Supper (Luke 22:1-20)
• Session 32 - Parting Words (Luke 22:21-38)
• Session 33 - Prayer, Arrest and Denials (Luke 22:39-62)
• Session 34 - Trials (Luke 22:63–23:25)
• Session 35 - Crucifixion and Death (Luke 23:26-56)
• Session 36 - Empty Tomb and Emmaus Road (Luke 24:1-35)
• Session 37 - The Blessing and Departure (Luke 24:36-53)

In our seventeenth session, we looked at Luke 11:14-54 and talked about how disciples might handle opposition. The discussion and passage are below.

Luke 11:14-54 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?—for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but not finding any it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it returns, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and indeed, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and indeed, something greater than Jonah is here!

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a bushel basket; rather, one puts it on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but if it is unhealthy, your body is full of darkness. Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. But if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.”

While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give as alms those things that are within and then everything will be clean for you.

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves on which people unknowingly walk.”

One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us, too.” And he said, “Woe also to you experts in the law! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. For this reason the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees became hostile to him and began to interrogate him about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.