St. Luke's, Ramsgate

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures for ever." (Psalm 136:1)As we celebrate 150 years of St. Luke’s, let’s give thanks for God’s goodness in helping many people find love, support and the good news of Jesus Christ over many decades. Let’s praise him for the work and ministry of the people that make up St. Luke’s church and have continued his mission to share the good news in word and deed and let’s rejoice that his love does indeed endure for ever.

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." (Isaiah 55:1)We finish our series on the Parables in Matthew’s gospel with the Parable of the Wedding Banquet.The invitation to the banquet is free to all. Accepting it is transformational.

"The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;" (Psalm 118:22)In 33AD, Jesus was in Jerusalem debating with the heavy-weight Jewish authorities. In that debate, Jesus told them a story about a vineyard, whose tenants refused to pay rent to the vineyard owner. It was obvious that the story was a thinly veiled criticism of the temple authorities. Jesus was publicly accusing them of failing to do what God required. Yet, what hope did Jesus, a poor Jewish Rabbi from the backward region of Galilee, have of making a difference against the powerful temple elite?The events of the following days seemed to give an answer. In worldly terms Jesus had no hope. In the following days, they arranged for Jesus’ arrest trial and execution. Their critic was dead and buried. Or so they thought.The truth was different. What they should have seen from Jesus’ teaching and miracles was that this was no ordinary Rabbi. This was God’s Son. They should have accepted his criticism and started to behave as God required. Yet, this was not the end of the story. Although Jesus was brutally rejected by them, he was resurrected by God and became the capstone for a new living temple, the church, which would transform the world.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)This week we're looking at Deuteronomy 8 as we celebrate Harvest.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)Our focus this Sunday is another of Jesus’ Parables from Matthew’s gospel that focuses on the meaning of grace.