Blessed Are Those Who Are Not Offended By Jesus
We all long for heroes: personal, vocational, intellectual, political, even theological heroes. Sadly, human heroes will eventually disappoint us. Jesus was Israel’s hero. As he healed the sick, delivered those oppressed by demons, and raised the dead, he gained quite a following. And yet, Jesus, his words and works, scandalized (offended) many. In Luke 7:1-35, we observe Jesus’s scandalous ministry and salvation and four different responses:
1. Faith (7:1-10) – Jesus is Lord, and he has authority over disease and death. To prove that, he heals the slave of a Roman Centurion. Then, Jesus offends the Jewish leaders by holding him up as a model of faith. By doing so, Jesus hints at the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God.
2. Awe (7:11-17) – When Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead, many marveled at his power and glorified God. They called him a prophet because they sensed God had visited his people. And yet, Jesus is more than a prophet. He is THE promised prophet. Beware of being impressed with Jesus but not honoring Jesus as THE LORD.
3. Doubt (7:18-23) – While Jesus was performing powerful works, John the Baptist was languishing in prison. Naturally, he began to wonder, “Is Jesus the one or was he to wait and announce another?” Jesus sends word that his works prove that he is the one and that the kingdom had arrived in him. But notice carefully how Jesus lovingly and patiently responded to John’s doubts, and remember that Jesus responds to your doubts in the same way.
4. Rejection (7:23-35) – Sadly, Jesus’s offensive words and works scandalized the Jewish leaders and led them to reject Jesus. Jesus likens them to spoiled children who are never happy to play with the others in the marketplace. But the wisdom of God’s salvation in Christ will be justified or declared right by her children – all who believe in Jesus. So, receive Jesus by faith and continue walking in faith.
Jesus is the long-expected Savior, but he works in unexpected ways.
What about you? Do Jesus’s unexpected ways offend you?
How can you be more loving and accepting of people who are different than you?
Now, think about Jesus’s authority. What would have to change in your life if Jesus had authority over every area of your life: time, finances, relationships, recreation?
How has your wrong expectations of who Jesus is and how he works led you to doubt him?
Resources of the Week
Re-Thinking Homogeneity: The Biblical Case for Multi-Ethnic Churches
A Symposium: How Can We Work Toward Greater Ethnic Unity in Our Churches?
Jesus is LORD over ALL of Life:
Song of the Month: No Not One
HPBC Church Center App Update
Reminder: Our old app is retiring May 21st. If you don't have the Church Center app, download it here.
Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)
Annual Memorial Day Picnic | Sunday, May 25
It’s time for our annual Memorial Day Picnic. Join us on Sunday evening, May 25, at 5:00 PM as we gather as a church for fellowship, fun, and BBQ. The church will provide the BBQ, but members are being asked to bring the sides and desserts based on the first letter of your last name.
A-G bring a hot side dish
H-L bring a cold side dish
M-Z bring a desserts
Teens and college students, bring beverages.
Please bring your own folding chairs and blankets if you are planning to eat outside and bring outside yard games for a fun family church activity! If anyone would like to volunteer for helping to set-up/clean-up, please reach out to Beth Hyman for more details
Vacation Bible School | A Church-Wide Outreach Event | June 1-4, 6:00-8:30pm, Family Night Festival, June 4
At this year's VBS, take a ride out west with us to Wonder Junction to focus on the greatest wonder of all, Jesus! High Pointe's VBS is for everyone! There are many ways you can participate the week of and even before VBS begins! Online registration opens today. Click here to register. Please register NOW to volunteer, to attend (kids, teens, adult classes in English & Spanish), and to provide snack items. To help with decorating supply needs and/or preparation, please use this link. Above all, would you commit to pray regularly for this year's VBS? Pray that the Lord will, in His kindness, allow us to see people from our community come to faith in Jesus through our efforts.
NO Life Classes THIS Sunday due to Mother’s Day. We resume Life Classes next Sunday at 9 AM.
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:
May 11 | Mother’s Day | Pastor Craig Horton
May 18 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Jesus and Women | Pastor Juan Sanchez
May 25 | Luke 8:4-21 | Faith that Bears Fruit | Pastor Juan Sanchez
June 1 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
June 8 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
June 15 | Luke 8:22-9:6 | Jesus is Lord of All| Pastor Juan Sanchez
June 22 | Luke 9:7-27 | Who Do You Say Jesus Is? | Pastor Juan Sanchez
June 29 | Luke 9:28-50 | The Majesty of Christ | Pastor Juan Sanchez
July 6-27 | Summer Preaching Series
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
Gospel Partner of the Month: Cuba | First Baptist Church & Seminary, Santa Clara, Cuba
High Pointe established a partnership with FBC Santa Clara in the 1990s. In fact, the Lord allowed High Pointe to have a significant role in helping the church start a seminary to raise up pastors and seminaries. In 2007, pastors Daniel Franz and Juan Sanchez traveled to Cuba to reestablish this partnership. Since that time, High Pointe continues to visit the brothers in Santa Clara to deliver our financial support and encourage the church and seminary.
High Pointe, through your regular giving, you have a part in equipping pastors and missionaries in Cuba. By God’s grace, the gospel continues to spread throughout the island nation, but they are in dire need for more faithful pastors. Please pray that the Lord will allow us to continue to be generous and encourage FBC Santa Clara. Pray that the Lord would provide all the seminary needs to train pastors and missionaries. Pray that the Lord would provide the basic needs the Cuban people have. Pray that the Lord would bring about a good government that will care more for the people than power.
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.
