21st. October 2007
Luke 19:11-27 (NIV) ¡¡[ Beneficial use of God’s Gifts]

1. Two stories, one of a King, and the other of Minas

Last week we observed Jesus’ teachings about the coming kingdom of God, by reading a portion of Luke, chapter 17. The coming of God’s kingdom was thought to imminent, so the people needed to be on their guard, while waiting for the outcome. Meanwhile, the Church was founded by the followers of Jesus. Nevertheless, in that secular environment many struggled without any form of personal transformation. Evil dominated this period of time, much the same as it does today in our own society. However, reality demands answers to the perpetual question which continually daunts the human race: what must we do, and how shall we live? Today, we will seek answers as we read from Luke, chapter 19. (³¤­…)

Sunday, 14th October, 2007 - Luke 17:20-37 [The Coming of the Kingdom of God]

1. The day of everlasting destruction

Today we will meditate on the Last Day of the world. The believers of the first generation Church witnessed the resurrection of Jesus, which convinced them that He was the very Messiah. And the Old Testament prophecy was that the arrival of the Messiah was to precede the final destruction of the world.
So the disciples thought the final day of this secular world was close, because they believed that Jesus was about to return. Consequently they sold their personal properties and began to live in a sort of commune, by sharing money, accommodation, daily food, and spending time by praying together. (³¤­…)

Sunday, 7th October, 2007 [ Let’s share the Lord’s gifts ] - Luke 17 1-10

1. Care for Little Ones and Sinners.

Today, the first Sunday of October, is World Communion Sunday. Its a time when Christian churches around the world pause to observe Holy communion together. On this day we celebrate our oneness in Christ.
This ceremonial day was first established in the USA in the year of 1936, a year of global economic recession, the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, and the German invasion of Czechoslovakia and Hungary. The 1930¡Çs was a decade gripped by depression, culminating in the outbreak of world war II.
During these years, many were starving without enough money to even buy their daily bread. These were desperate years. The Presbyterian churches began to collect special donations to buy bread for sharing with the poor. The bread of life movement grew and extended to all Christian societies throughout the world regardless of denominations. (³¤­…)

30th September, 2007
[Whether to be rich on Earth or In Heaven] : Luke 16:19-31

1. Is wealth a blessing or a condemnation ?

The last week we meditated upon wealth in reading Paul’s epistle to Timothy, in which Paul says: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6 10).
Paul does not really condemn money in itself, but if the rich use money in an egocentric way, then it could be considered as a root of evil. Therefore, under these conditions, not only the rich person but also others too will stand condemned.
This concept of wealth comes from one of Jesus’ parables, the story about the manager of a rich man. As we look at the scriptures today, and in particular Luke 16, we will have the opportunity to learn much about wealth. (³¤­…)