Grace from Above

Luke 5:17-26

17 One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. 18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. 19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.” 25 Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

The dramatic element that highlights that here is tension. We feel it in:

1. The men

2. The question

3. The cost

1. The men

21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

2. The question

22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?  24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.”

3. The cost

How easy was it for Jesus to forgive sins? Consider:

1. his humiliation

2. his steadfastness in face of temptation

3. his suffering

]]> http://www.redeemerlynchburg.org/wp/2012/02/05/sermon-grace-and-forgiveness/feed/ 0 0:27:58 When Grace Advances: Grace from Above Luke 5:17-26 17 One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord wa[...] When Grace Advances: Grace from Above Luke 5:17-26 17 One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. 18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. 19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.” 25 Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.”   The dramatic element that highlights that here is tension. We feel it in: 1. The men 2. The question 3. The cost   1. The men 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”   2. The question 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?  24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.”   3. The cost How easy was it for Jesus to forgive sins? Consider: 1. his humiliation 2. his steadfastness in face of temptation 3. his suffering Redeemer Presbyterian Church no no http://www.redeemerlynchburg.org/wp/2012/02/01/new-1230-service/ http://www.redeemerlynchburg.org/wp/2012/02/01/new-1230-service/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:04:13 +0000 admin http://www.redeemerlynchburg.org/wp/?p=2802

Come learn about Redeemer, what we believe, and why!

by Paul Tripp

Meets Thursdays from 6:00-7:30p.m.  in the Sanctuary
Child care provided

Paul Tripp walks us through the challenges and Biblical principles of parenting.  Even if you haven’t been able to attend the previous sessions, you will enjoy the discussion and come away better equipped to deal with issues of the heart as you raise your children.

Contact Bryan Rigg or Paul Brandon for more details.

Planned for:

Saturday, April 7th 5pm entitled, “Better Than Bunnies”

In preparation for this event we need adult volunteers.  We welcome anyone who has experience in theater, music, or children’s ministry to help out with this program.

As well as adult volunteers, we need children to participate.

If your child is between the ages of 4 and 10 and would like to be a part of this Easter production please sign up this Sunday on a sheet that will be provided in the foyer or email Rachel Blomquist at rachelblomquist@gmail.com.

All parents are encouraged to attend and/or participate in rehearsals which will be a few Saturdays and Sunday afternoons beginning February 18th. We look forward to having our children participate in this wonderful way to share the message of Jesus’ resurrection with our church family!

Grace-chiseled Pillars of Hope

Luke 2:21-38

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, 
   according to your word; 
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 
 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, 
   and for glory to your people Israel.”

 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

1. Why they are there

a) Circumstantially

b) Functionally in his gospel

2. What they each mean

a) Simeon marks a life of expectation

b) Anna marks a life of perseverance

3. How you pass through them

34 Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Not a morning person?  Sleep in and we’ll see you at 12:30!

Starting on  1/22 we have begun to offer four services on Sunday mornings:

Redeemer needs people willing to learn and serve to enhance our worship through:
Volunteering to be on the Sound Team

If you have experience great!  But none is needed – We can train you!

Please email Aaron Borsay (aborsay@aaronborsay.com) if you have an interest
in helping!