Grace Bible Church of Bend

In this passage from the book of Luke, we see the religious leaders questioning Jesus, trying to trap him in his words. He responds with a parable about evil vineyard tenants, representing the religious leaders and their ancestors who rejected and killed God's messengers (the prophets), and who would ultimately reject and kill God's own son, Jesus Christ. The challenge to the religious leaders is...

In this passage from Luke's Gospel, Luke writes about Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, that they have missed the point of their Messiah's coming. And as he enters the temple, Jesus is infuriated by the corrupt commerce that is taking place inside, where priests are taking advantage of the people, instead of facilitating worship and prayer. He drives out the merchants and the money changers, demonstra...

In this sermon from the book of Luke, we see that Jesus is completely sovereign over everything and that he is a humble servant king. The passage leaves us with two questions: Do we truly see Jesus as King, and how will we respond to that truth? From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this sermon from the book of Luke, Jesus shows us how a faithful servant of God lives in the King’s absence. His parable reminds us that God is concerned with our faithfulness to him, not our amount of gifting or responsibility, while we wait for his return. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this passage from the book of Luke, Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector and therefore a despised, corrupt traitor against his own people. Surprisingly, Zacchaeus demonstrates an urgent need to see Jesus, and even runs ahead of the crowds and climbs a tree to get a better view. Jesus calls him down by name and invites himself to stay at his house, to which Zacchaeus responds with r...

In this passage from the book of Luke, Jesus encounters a blind beggar shouting at him from the side of the road. The crowd around Jesus rebukes the man, telling him to be quiet, but Jesus engages the blind man and heals him. Ironically, the one man who's eyes were shut due to blindness was the one man who saw clearly who Jesus was, and rightly put his faith in him. Will we, like this blind beggar...

In this passage from the book of Luke, we see Jesus telling his disciples that he will soon suffer and die. The disciples didn't understand what he was talking about, and they wouldn't understand until after the cross. And yet, Jesus went to the cross for them because of His love. This passage gives us hope by showing us that Jesus dies for the clueless. Jesus dies even for His enemies. The discip...

In this sermon from the book of Luke we see an example, in the rich ruler, of someone who desired eternal life, but was not willing to trust God or fully follow him. We are left with the two questions: “What do you love more than God?” and “Is Christ my greatest treasure?" From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this sermon, from the book of Luke, Jesus uses the picture of a child in defining our relationship with God and uses children to illustrate the heart needed to enter God’s kingdom. We also see how much God loves and values children, and how God wants us to come to him in humble, dependent faith just like a child. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this passage from the book of Luke, Jesus tells a group of self-righteous people a parable of two men who went to the temple to pray. One was a religious leader with a good reputation, the other an obvious sinner. The twist in the story is that the religious leader - the one we would expect to have a genuine, repentant prayer, ends up being the one who is self-righteous and self-deceived, and t...

In this passage from the book of Luke, Jesus exhorts his disciples by way of a parable about a widow and a wicked judge, to pray diligently and to not give up, even when it seems like our prayers are not being heard. Jesus wants us to be bold and persistent in our prayers, just like the widow from the parable.

In this sermon, from the book of Luke, Jesus explains the kingdom of God and then calls us to be prepared for its coming. Jesus first addresses and corrects the Pharisees misunderstanding of his kingdom now, and then encourages and instructs his disciples about his kingdom that is yet to come. As we listen, we too are encouraged and exhorted to be prepared for Christ’s return.

In this passage from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable demonstrating the self-serving attitude we often have while serving God – we have a sense of entitlement; a sense that “God owes me one.” Jesus exposes this heart attitude for the foolishness that it is by way of his satirical parable. Luke’s narrative drives the point home by following this parable with an account of Jesus’ miraculous heal...

In this passage from the book of Luke, Jesus gives his disciples specific instructions in the areas of temptation, sin and forgiveness, and faith. These lessons serve to instruct us as well, and have bearing on our lives today. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this passage, Jesus draws out what God's perfect law exposes in our hearts: our desire to justify ourselves, our idolatry of money, of possessions, of the lust of the eyes and flesh, and our sinful, self-centered tendency to twist God's Word to fit our own preferences. But most importantly, God's perfect law exposes our desperate need for a Savior to fulfill God's righteous requirements - somet...

In this sermon, from John 13:34-35, Jesus teaches about the defining mark of true disciples: that they love one another as Christ has loved them. He continues to show that by our love for one another, the world will not only hear the gospel but they will see how it has transformed our lives. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this passage, Jesus tells a parable of a dishonest manager who cheats his master to secure his future when he gets laid off. Jesus uses this story to help us examine our own hearts and take a look at the way we view money. Is money an idol for us, or is it something we steward for the kingdom? Jesus ends with the pointed challenge that you cannot serve two masters; it is impossible to serve bot...

In this well known passage, which is often titled "The Parable of the Prodigal Son," Jesus tells the story of a loving father who gives extravagant (the literal meaning of "prodigal") forgiveness and grace to his wayward younger son. The loving father pleads with his self-righteous older son to show the same grace to his younger brother. Jesus uses this story not only to give us a picture of God's...

In this sermon, from the book of Luke, Jesus asks us to soberly reflect on and count the cost of following him. Through his words and parables, we see Jesus’ desire for true, genuine disciples who love him more than any earthly relationship, desire, or treasure. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this passage, Jesus tells a parable of a great banquet where the guests invited turn it down due to pathetic excuses. The banquet host then sends invitations out to the lame, crippled, and poor, and makes them his banquet guests. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the foolishness of peoples' rejection of his kingdom for the pursuit of temporary pleasures, and also the incredible grace of Jes...

In this passage, Jesus confronts the self-righteous, prideful hearts of the religious leaders by healing a man on the Sabbath. He then challenges the group around him through two parables, each designed to expose the pride and selfishness in all of our hearts, and point us to repentance and towards humility. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.

In this sermon, from the book of Luke, we see the conviction and compassion of Jesus that motivated his mission and calls us to repentance. Confronted with possible danger and threats from Herod, Jesus remains unswayed. He is committed to see his mission through to the end and expresses his compassion for those who would ultimately reject and crucify him. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Chu...

In this passage, Jesus is asked the question: who will be saved? Jesus’ response, while not a direct answer to the question, is a passionate plea to examine our lives and to make sure we have chosen the narrow door. He reminds us that there is only one way of salvation, that today is the day of salvation, and that the door of salvation is open to all who respond in repentance and faith in Jesus Ch...