Today, we will look at a parable of Jesus that sheds light on His teaching to seek

first His Kingdom. We will explore some of the tendencies we may have that can

hinder us.

For over 88 years, Calvary Church has been committed to Going into God’s World. But what fuels that commitment? Is missions driven mainly by human need or by God’s glory? Psalm 67 reveals that God blesses His people, so that His saving power and praise would spread to all nations. So, today, we’ll understand why the mission of God has always been central to the heart of God, and why it must remain central for us.

We often say we want to live for God’s glory. So, today, we will seek

to understand and experience what that truly means. As we move

through this service, we will trace the story of Scripture through the

lens of His glory. We will allow it to shape how we worship, pray,

listen, and respond to Him and to one another, not just today,

but forevermore.

God’s glory is the visible display of who He is—His beauty, holiness,

goodness, and worth. From the beginning, God created not to gain

glory, but to reveal it. With that in mind, we will follow the story of

the Bible through five movements, each showing us what happens to

God’s glory and what it means for our lives.

In Luke 11 and 18, Jesus gives us two parables to shape our hearts and encourage us to always pray and not lose heart. These parables invite us to reflect on God’s character and to examine the state of our faith as expressed in persistent prayer.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories that reveal the heart of God and expose two different ways of

being lost. Today, we’ll explore what these parables teach us about a God who seeks, a Father who

loves prodigally, and the invitation to move from lostness—whether through rebellion or religion—

into the joy of being found.

Jesus commands us to love God and love others. He then uses a parable to expose how

impossible that standard is and how deeply we need a Savior to rescue us and help us love

others well.

When God’s Word takes root in receptive hearts, God Himself goes to work—revealing truth,

producing growth, and expanding His work in ways beyond what we can control, predict, or even

imagine.

Jesus begins His parables with a call to listen. In the Parable of the Sower, He shows that God’s

Word is powerful and life-giving, but its impact depends on the condition of our heart. Today, we’re

invited to examine whether our hearts are truly receptive to Jesus and the transforming power of

God’s Word.