Please turn your

Bible to Luke chapter 5.

Luke chapter 5, as we continue our teaching series, Future Church.

Each week, we are looking at a challenge that we are facing in our cultural moment.

And then at Jesus' vision of the church as an alternative society to the cultural norms

that are all around us.

And then at a practice from our rule of life to index us away from what the New Testament

writers call the world and toward Jesus' life in the kingdom.

Up on the docket for today is a community of peace and a culture of outrage and fear.

And with me for the reading of Scripture.

Luke chapter 5 verse 12.

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.

When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, Lord, if you are

willing, you can make me clean.

Jesus reached out his hand and he touched the man, I am willing, he said, be clean.

Immediately the leprosy left him.

Then Jesus ordered him, don't tell anyone but go, show yourself to the priests and offer

the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony to them yet.

The news about Jesus spread all the more so that crowds of people came to hear him and

to be healed of their illnesses, but Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Our son and Holy Spirit, we open our heart and all that we are, the deep place in us to

you.

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