Luke 5:17-26 We all must come to grips with the frailty of our human condition. Jesus cares about us in our brokenness and is able to meet our needs. Our faith opens the door for his healing work in our lives. The work of Jesus is always designed to bring praise to God! WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE SICK OR INJURED:

• Pray.
• Avail yourself of any help God provides.
• When physical healing comes, remember to give glory to God.
• When healing doesn’t come in the way or timing you desire, remember that God is still with you, and His grace is sufficient for you.
• Ask God what you should be learning from the experience.
• Be patient, and take some time to count your blessings.
• Focus on spiritual health above physical health.
• Hold fast to the promise of a new heavenly body designed for eternity.

John 2:1-11 According to the Gospel of John, the first miracle of Jesus was changing water into wine at a wedding feast.  It might seem trivial to us, but no act of Jesus was without purpose.  That particular occasion can teach us something about Jesus’ place in our social lives.

• We should always be aware of Jesus’ presence, even in our recreation and celebrations.
• We should be obedient to Jesus as he guides our words and actions.
• We should be ready to experience his blessings with great joy!

A Few Questions to Ask Yourself about Leisure Time Activities & Behavior:

• Could this activity enslave me?
• Is there something edifying or beneficial about this?
• Could my behavior be a stumbling block for someone else?
• Can I use this for God’s glory?
• If Jesus were here with me, would he be pleased? (Hint:  He is!)

The greatest purpose of life is for us to walk with God. The Garden of Eden - Genesis 2 & 3 The Tabernacle - Exodus 25 & Leviticus 16 The Tomb - John 20 The City - Revelation 21 & 22 The Cross - Luke 23

“Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let’s have a feast and celebrate!  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  So they began to celebrate.”   Luke 15:23-24 Even though we live in a fallen world in which we often experience suffering and sorrow, the Kingdom of God is designed for JOY!  It is our decision whether to be a part of it, or to be apart from it. The Feast of the Father is offered because … God understands the human condition.

• “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10)

God sent the divine solution.

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16)
• “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast … in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8:11)

God offers a new communion.

• “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.” (Matthew 22:1)
• “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples…” (Matthew 26:26)

Luke 15:25-32 Jesus told a parable about two lost sons, not just one.  There is more than one kind of lostness.  Though the elder brother prided himself in his goodness—as compared to his younger brother who had been openly rebellious—he actually shared some of the same bad attitudes and motivations.

• He questions the ways of his father and his authority.
• He is not above being openly disrespectful of his father.
• He loved his father’s stuff more than he loved his father.
• He is willing to fracture the unity of his family.

We see signs of lostness in the heart of the elder brother:

• He held a deep anger.
• His obedience was joyless and mechanical.
• He felt disdain toward his younger brother.
• He did not understand his father’s love.
• He was judgmental and unforgiving.

If we identify these same signs within ourselves, we need to seek a change of heart through Jesus Christ.  Only through him do we learn to truly love, forgive and sacrifice.  Even lost elder brothers can be found!