As we continue to make our way through the Gospel of Luke, my heart continues to be convicted by the teachings of Christ. I’m faced with the reality that my fruitlessness results from my own prideful heart that refuses to see my own sin and my need for repentance. The fact of the matter is, Jesus says to his audience, “The vineyard (kingdom of God) will be given to a people producing its fruit” (Lk 20:16; cf. Matt 21:43). Jesus doesn’t equate professing faith with possessing faith, as we so often do. Instead, He warns His listeners that only one thing matters— accepting Him as Lord. But when does bearing fruit become evident? When we act in accordance with a faith that is rooted and grounded in Christ (Col. 2:6-7). When we stop living by worldly perceptions and emotions, and we start trusting in the truth of what God says more than the impulses of what we see or how we feel. I can certainly profess being a follower of Christ, and my appearance may even look like the stereotypical Christian, much like the nation of Israel in Jesus’s day. But we will all fail miserably when it comes to evidencing the true and lasting fruits of the Spirit when the Lordship of Christ is relegated to something that is optional. May God help us have humble hearts. And may we see more fully the life of discipleship He is calling all of us to live. –Pastor Nate
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: Issues of Conscience: Politics–1 Peter 2:13-17
10AM: Pastor Rory–A Stone That’s Rejected–Luke 19:45-20:19 (sermon notes)
Fifth Night – No Evening Gathering