200. Luke 1 - The Christmas Story

226. Christian Essentials

Scriptures Reviewed: Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Gal. 1:8. Discipleship Points: The 7 Essentials of the Christian faith are presented. These are essentials because every Christian group/ church/denomination believes and accepts these. This phrase was also shared: "in the essentials, unity (we all agree), in the non-essentials, liberty (choice of the group/church) and in all things, charity. As the Bible states in Col. 3:14, "but above all things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."

225. Luke 6

Scriptures Reviewed: Comments from Luke 5 summary; Luke 6:1-5; Lev. 24:19; John 7:23-24. Discipleship Points: The main point is "Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath." David and his men ate the showbread reserved for the priests, Jesus's disciples ate the heads of grain on the Sabbath and Jesus healed on the Sabbath. The laws developed by the Pharisees and others do not apply...because He is Lord of the Sabbath. Related is the comment the Sabbath was made for man, not man was made for the Sabbath and compulsory rule-keepings & restrictions.

224. Summary of Luke 5

Scriptures Reviewed: Luke 5:1-26 Discipleship Points: The program highlighted & zeroed in many points from Chapter 5 of Luke. Topics of the sections were Jesus teaching at Lake Gennesaret; Miraculous & Awesome Catch of Fish & Calling the Disciples; Jesus cleanses a leper; Healing of the paralytic and demonstration that Jesus can both forgive sins as well as heal...pick up your bed & walk! A testimony about Gary being invited to a church included multiple opportunities to both fellowship and witness to others even when the one who invited Gary could not come.

222. Our Faith

Scriptures Reviewed: II Pet. 1:3-4; III John 2; Luke 5:31-32 Discipleship Points: Review of and exhortation for divine healing and that each believer HAS BEEN GIVEN promises by His divine power. Gary notes that Jesus came to seek and save the lost, so we, too, should seek the lost and share the Good News. Two testimonies illustrate believers may be called to minister in areas that may be considered unusual or even "out of bounds" but directed by the Lord and prayer produce results. Doubt is cast on the off-held belief that believers should not be around or with unbelievers.

221. Call Sinners

Scriptures Reviewed: III John 2; Luke 5:20-32 Discipleship Points: Reviewed points & support for healing to show healing is from God and for His people as well as others. Manny expounded on the story of Nehemiah, a young man who was dramatically healed after a motorcycle accident. Gary shared how a simple trip to buy a student dinner opened the door to testify. The story of the paralytic man being healed showed both the power of God as well as validated Jesus as the Son of God, for He both forgave sins and told the man to "get up and walk", further angering the disbelieving Pharisees.