Book of Luke: Recent Episodes
Alan Felts
Alan Felts, pastor at SHIFT church in Belgrade, Montana, walks through the Gospel account of Luke to get a beautiful view of Jesus and His Glory. This series began at the end of November 2020 and currently running with new episodes/sermons being posted every Monday.
DATE: September 18, 2022 THEME: New Season, New Opportunities SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:50-52 & Acts 1:1-14
Jesus hangs out for about 40 days after His resurrection, giving many proofs that He has indeed physically risen from the dead, as well as being seen by over 500 people before He gathers all of His disciples at the Mount of Olives to witness His ascension into heaven. This is a major transition in the life of humanity, specifically in the lives of the disciples. What do we do with times of transition? How did the disciples deal with the shift from walking with Jesus every day for 3 years, to watching His death, witnessing His resurrection, spending about 40 days with Him, then to watch as Jesus physically leaves and no longer physically walks with them into the new kingdom age? How, then, can we view major transitions in our own lives and the state of the ever changing world around us?
DATE: September 11, 2022 THEME: Too Good to Be True? SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:36-49
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was evidence that the gospel is NOT "too good to be true," but is rather "It's good because it's true!" Jesus invited the disciples, as He invites you, into resurrection new life in this life and the next because of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave; into order to resurrect life, resurrect hope, and resurrect purpose in everyone's life.
DATE: August 28, 2022 THEME: Embrace Disappointments SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:13-35
Two of the disciples, Cleopas and his wife Mary, walk away from hope toward Emmaus, Jesus comes up and walks beside them to give them His presence, His Word, and to reveal His identity and glory to them. This is what gives hope in the midst of disappointment and disillusionment. We ought to embrace disappointment as an opportunity for faith.
DATE: August 7, 2022 THEME: So That... SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:50-56
Jesus is buried. It really happened. Jesus died. He is TOTALLY dead, not just "mostly" dead. The death and burial of Jesus is an illustration to one of the most powerful truths about the freedom we have because of the grace of God through identifying with Jesus in His death and His burial. Jesus died and was buried, SO THAT…
DATE: July 31, 2022 THEME: Here in the Death of Christ I Live SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:44-49
The death of Christ is best viewed through the lens of the resurrection as a fulfillment of all truth and scripture. Christ died during Passover to become our passover lamb. There is incredible beauty and power behind the imagery of the original Exodus and the NEW Exodus through Jesus our passover lamb. The curtain/veil was torn to give us access to Yahweh and is how He poured our His Spirit upon all flesh.
DATE: July 24, 2022 THEME: I Died With Him SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:32-43
The last hours of Jesus' life were filled with power and glory, even though it looked like sorrow, pain, and despair. The place where Jesus was crucified, the guards gambling for His clothes, the words of the crowd, among other things, were fulfilling prophecy. The most powerful image we have on the day of Jesus' crucifixion was His conversation with the criminal on the cross who died with Him. Through our scripture passage this morning, we get to experience the core of the entire narrative of scripture, the restoration of ALL things, bringing all things back into order and shalom because of the death Jesus died, and the death we died with Him on the cross.
DATE: July 17, 2022 THEME: Jesus Heals All Our Wounds SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:26-31
As Jesus was bring led away to be crucified, He became too weak to carry the cross/stauros/crossbeam to Golgatha ("Place of the Skill"). Why? Also, what was it that keep Jesus going? What was it that drove Jesus to the cross? In this sermon, we are introduced to Simon of Cyrene (and his sons would all become disciples of Jesus) and the Daughters of Jerusalem (not the women disciples). Jesus came to suffer and die to heal all of our wounds and cultivate a culture of healing in the Kingdom of God, the Church.
DATE: July 13, 2022 THEME: Joy & Rest SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:1-25
In the midst of Jesus' trials before Pilate and Herod, we see Jesus calm, peace-filled, and joy-filled, and at rest..."like, a sheep before its shearers is silent. It wasn't a fearful or rebellious silence, it was a restful and joyful disposition. When Jesus was handed over to the Chief Priests' will (desire, want, wish, what they asked for) He knew things would be as they should. Things had to go exactly this way in order for Jesus to fulfill all prophesy and promise; to accomplish salvation for all who would call upon His name, to be come children of God. Jesus was joyful to do so.
DATE: July 3, 2022 THEME: God has Grace for the Teachable but Silence for the Incredulous. SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:53-65
Peter and Jesus faced trials on the same night. Peter failed and received grace, Jesus succeeded and those who were judging Him received the silent treatment. God's grace is beyond what we can comprehend, that even in the midst of our failures and cowardice, God can restore and strengthen us through our trials.
DATE: June 26, 2022 THEME: Follow the Father SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:35-53
Jesus took His disciples from the Passover discussion in the Upper Room to the Garden where He was crushed with anguish and would be arrested. Through it all, the suffering and grief, Jesus followed the Father by faith and peace. How do we remind ourselves that in the midst of great sorrow and distress that the LORD is good and His steadfast love endures forever?
DATE: June 19, 2022 THEME: Love First! SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:23-34
The question about the worse of the disciples (the one who would betray Jesus) turned into a debate on who was the best of the disciples (the one who would lead them when Jesus went away). But Jesus made the point that leadership structures in the Church should not be like those of the pagan nations around them; those whom seek power and authority to wield/"lord" over others. God's kingdom is an upside down kingdom of service rather than authority.
DATE: June 15, 2022 THEME: The Purpose of the Passover is Praise to our Protector, the Prince of Peace SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:14-23
The Passover, what is often called the "LORD's Supper" or "Last Supper", is the setting for our passage in Luke. Jesus is sharing this special, spiritual, and powerful meal with all 120 of His disciples in the upper room, not just the 12. He is eating and drinking the traditional meal for Passover; lamb (even though we're not told he ate this), unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and wine. The setting and proclamation of ALL of the Bible, including the biblical setting of the Passover is ALL about the LORD showing Himself to be LORD Yahweh, the most high, above all spiritual entities, nations, and nature itself. In this sermon, Alan describes the power of this night, and the power of Christ's Passover, becoming our unblemished Passover lamb, and entering into our "house" to be our protector through everything.
DATE: June 5, 2022 THEME: Prepare Your Life SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:1-13
Judas and the disciples prepare for the Passover in different ways. Judah prepares to betray Jesus, and the disciples prepare to feast with Jesus in celebration. You need to prepare your life for glory. To receive, perceive, and experience the glory of God.
DATE: May 29, 2022 THEME: Pursue Peace in the Wait, Bless the LORD in the Pain. SCRIPTURE: Luke 21:5-38
Jesus' "Olivet Discourse" is a LARGE piece of literature that has been discussed and debated for millennium and often attributed to the end of the world, the apocalypse. However, this passage is not eschatological in nature, per the context given in the passage. This passage is a powerful prophecy concerning the end of the nation of Israel, the destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and the entire culture, economy, and politics of the national identity of Israel in AD 70. However Jesus' meaning in the passage is to warn the disciples of the things to look out for and GET OUT OF TOWN/FLEE/RUUUUN!!!...don't stick around out of a nationalistic duty to Israel, but to flee and be saved from the coming judgement upon Israel for their hard-heartedness and unrepentance; and His encouragement for His disciples is that in the mean time before that all happens, they ought to pursue peace in the wait, and bless the LORD in the midst of the pain.
DATE: May 22, 2022 THEME: Trust God Find Joy SCRIPTURE: Luke 20:20-21:4
Jesus' few interactions in the temple with the chief priests, scribes, and Sadducees show the very disheartening state of Israel during these days that they refused, they would not see, the Messiah right in front of them. So, instead of trusting Him and finding joy, they chose unbelief, doubt, and violence against Jesus. But Jesus' invitation still sought after all who would choose to trust Him and find flourishing, find life, find joy.
DATE: May 15, 2022 THEME: Receive the Son, Receive Life SCRIPTURE: Luke 20:1-19
In the midst of asking Jesus accusatory questions, Jesus gives them the answer through a question of His own as well as a parable. He tells the parable of the Vineyard owner and the unfaithful tenants who reject His servants and kill his son. His point is; if you will receive the Son you will receive life, but if you reject the Son, you will reject life. How do we “receive the Son” and live the life He desires for us?
DATE: May 8, 2022 THEME: Jesus Wept SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:41-48
Why did Jesus weep & rage? His demeanor shifted from joy-filled and celebrating the exhalation of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem to weeping compassionately and raging passionately because He got a vision of the future of Jerusalem's destruction that would occur in AD 70. Jesus' expresses great passion and compassion for God's people. So even in the midst of great destruction and sorrow, Jesus brings life, purpose, peace, joy, and hope.
DATE: May 1, 2022 THEME: Our King is Jesus SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:28-40
We have ARRIVED in Jerusalem! The Triumphal Entry of Jesus marks the end of the journey to Jerusalem, which began in Luke 9:51. And as we come into Jerusalem, we observe striking themes of the proclamation of Jesus as King and Messiah, because of the great works Jesus had done.
DATE: April 24, 2022 THEME: Leverage Your Faith to Build God's Kingdom SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:11-27
While in Jericho at the house of the Zacchaeus, Jesus tells a parable of the nobleman giving 10 of his servants a mina in order to do business while he was away being made a King. Jesus' point is that He desires for us to leverage the faith He's given in order to build His Kingdom.
DATE: April 17, 2022 THEME: The Presence of God SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:1-10
The narrative of Zacchaeus shows us that the presence of Jesus brings gratitude, generosity, and restoration. There are many things Luke's account of Zacchaeus's transformation show us. Join us during this special Resurrection Day worship celebration to hear the reason for the death, burial, and resurrection..."to seek and to save the lost."
DATE: April 10, 2022 THEME: From Faithfully Blind to Faithful Witness SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:35-43
Jesus' interaction with the blind beggar shows us a few powerful things about the MERCY of God by showing us the need to desire the PRESENCE of God in our lives. When you ask for healing, God may give you 1) Healing, 2) Understanding, 3) Presence.
DATE: April 3, 2022 THEME: Faith like a Child, Loyalty of a Warrior SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:18-34
Luke illustrates Jesus's answer to the rich ruler's question of "What must I DO to inherit eternal life?" with first presenting the answer in a child coming to Jesus. "For God's kingdom belongs to such as these." He then transitions to His disciples to again remind them of the extent to which their faith and loyalty will be tested in the coming days and weeks, but how great a reward awaits because of their abandonment of comforts, their homes, and their very lives. It'll be worth it!
DATE: March 27, 2022 THEME: True Grace compels us to lift up, not put down SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:9-14
Jesus tells a parable about two men's prayers, one who "trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else" and the other a tax-collector pleading for mercy. The point of this parable begs the question "how SHOULD this parable have gone" and "how do we now live into the way it should have gone?"
DATE: March 20, 2022 THEME: Do you believe that God wants to spend time with you? SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:1-8; 2 Peter 3
With so much suffering, stress, uncertainty, hardship, and difficulty in our lives and the world, we need the words of Jesus to resonate in our minds, that God desires for us to be with Him, to spend time in His presence; to pray always and to not give up!
DATE: March 13, 2022 THEME: The Insurgence of the Kingdom of God SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:20-37
"When will the Kingdom of God come?" That's the question the Pharisee's ask, and Jesus says "it'll be obvious." As "the day of the LORD" is not what we think of, Jesus had something different, more devastating yet so much better, in mind when He was teaching His disciples.
DATE: March 6, 2022 THEME: As We Go Along SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:11-19
Jesus healed 10 lepers and, while reminiscent of the healing of the leper in Luke 5 with all of the intentions and implications that apply, Luke had a very specific purpose of recording this account the way he did. Jesus healed people different ways and His pattern in this instance was to heal them "as they went along"...and this is also the way the He heals many of us in the world today..."As we go along."
DATE: February 27, 2022 THEME: All You Need is Faith SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:1-10
What does Jesus mean when He tells his disciples about those causing offensives and also to forgive people who sin against you? How does He tie together with a servant knowing his place in the kingdom of God? Faith...faith itself doesn't grow; if you have it, you have it. It is our vision of the God whom have faith IN that grows.
DATE: February 20, 2022 THEME: Love God Love Others...use money to... SCRIPTURE: Luke 16
The parables of the unrighteous manager and Lazarus & the Rich Man, including everything in between Jesus has bookended into one main point...love God, love people, use money to...love God and love people. Love of money is based in fear of suffering and death and this leads us to be unloving to God and others.
DATE: February 13, 2022 THEME: The God Who Runs SCRIPTURE: Luke 15
Jesus gives 3 responses to why He "welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus has come, as He will be quoted later in Luke, "to seek and to save the lost," and His responses illustrate this point through parables of; the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son.
DATE: February 6, 2022 THEME: Fish, or Cut Bait SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:25-35
Jesus is being followed by "great crowds" until He drops the hammer and calls them out to REALLY follow Him, to basically "fish or cut bait", to count the cost of following Him and go ALL IN or go home. His call has literal, physical, and cultural implications back then, and spiritual implications for us today.
DATE: January 30, 2022 THEME: Eternal Banquet SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:12-24
Jesus teaches the parable of the man putting on a great banquet and inviting a bunch of guests, only to have them all cancel on his last minute, to show the heart of the Father concerning the Kingdom of God. If He's invited people who refuse Him, He will find others. God is patient, but He does not wait on mankind, so cultivate your soil to enjoy God's Kingdom Banquet.
DATE: January 23, 2021 THEME: Knowing You're Wanted SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:7-14
Jesus confronts the unbelieving and worldly value of vying and striving to elevate oneself above others as a way of self-promotion. When we are confident in our place with God, our desire to step on or over others dissipates and actually leads to lives of generosity and serving others like Jesus was generous and served others.
DATE: January 16, 2022 THEME: Patient Intentionality SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:1-6
Jesus was intentionally patient with even the religious Pharisee's. When Jesus was invited over to Shabbat dinner to a leading Pharisee's house, we see how Jesus doesn't let tradition get in the way of His compassion, but He uses this occasion as a way to teach the Father's heart to the religious.
DATE: January 9, 2021 THEME: Do Not Fear, Stay Faithful SCRIPTURE: Luke 13:31-35
When some Pharisees tried to help Jesus by warning Him of Herod's desire to kill Him, Jesus was unfazed by his breathing threats and murder against Him and remained faithful to fulfill Him message and mission by going to Jerusalem. His words of confidence in our message and mission in our faith, both personally and in the Church, remind us today to not fear man, but to stay faithful to the LORD and His purposes.
DATE: January 2, 2022 THEME: Follow Jesus SCRIPTURE: Luke 13:22-30
Jesus's message to those listening was to make every effort to enter through the narrow door...HIM! Once one finds the door, it's easy to enter through. We need to help people find the narrow door! For vast treasure await those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven; Jesus Christ, Himself!
DATE: December 19, 2021 TOPICS: Hope Grows SCRIPTURE: Luke 13:10-21
Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a Mustard Seed and Leaven. His main point is that Hope Grows because the Kingdom of God is unstoppable! When Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God/Heaven, He's talking about wherever our Great King, the LORD God rules and reigns, specifically speaking about His Church. Each one of His works during His ministry is a seed planted, is a piece of leaven, the Kingdom of God, that will grow and expand to cover the earth.
DATE: December 12, 2021 THEME: Cultivate Life SCRIPTURE: Luke 13:1-17
Three difficult and seemingly separate narratives combine to give us a perspective of Jesus' mission and message to cultivate life during earthly ministry as He is correcting the Jews about their devotion to nation over God and warning of the impending judgement of God is they don't repent/metanoia. During this sermon, we go deeper into the meaning of the word "Repent" and the concept of "Cognitive Dissonance."
DATE: December 5, 2021 THEME: Divide & Conquer SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:49-59
You have to divide FROM this world, in order to conquer the enemy OF this world. Jesus had some very strong words to use in order to show that the socio-religious identity of Israel was coming to a close and people must make a decision about what side of history God would find them on. The side of the religious rulers who would be destroyed, or on the side of Christ and His never-ending kingdom?
DATE: November 28, 2021 THEME: Living a Life that Matters SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:35-48
What will the LORD find you doing when He returns? Will He find you faithful and active or complacent and distracted? That is Jesus’ main point in this week’s sermon. Jesus' parables often are spring boards for Him to teach His disciples very poignant wisdom for both establishing the kingdom and training them for the mission ahead. Jesus has a lot to say to the crowds who were following Him to be ready for His return as those who will be held accountable for their faithfulness to the LORD, and those who lead God’s people will answer for how and, most importantly, where they lead God’s flock.
DATE: November 21, 2021 THEME: Rich Toward God SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:13-34
Jesus illustrates what's important in life over and above both wealth and the desires behind wealth. He illustrates that treasure is truly found in God and when our treasure is misplaced, it turns into greed, covetousness, worry, and anxiety.
DATE: November 14, 2021 THEME: Stay Faithful to Jesus SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:1-12
In the midst of the gathering of a huge crowd, Jesus pulls His disciples aside to give them a very important message; "Stay faithful, don't get distracted, or pressured to give into fear of man. Remember who I am and who you are, my disciples. Don't fall away, stay focused, be devoted."
DATE: November 7, 2021 THEME: Love God, Love One Another SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:37-54
In this difficult rebuke of the religious rules we hear the heart of Jesus teaching the disciples both the harsh judgment for heartless religion and an admonition of what really matters to God...authentic love and devotion to God and others.
DATE: October 31, 2021 THEME: Light Up Your Life SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:29-36
Jesus' time is getting short and He's is escalating His message to dig deeper and hit harder. He goes right for the core of who the Pharisees and Scholars believed themselves to be..."holy"...and showing them to be dark and hollow who are worthy of being condemned by Gentiles like the Queen of Sheba and the Ninevites. Jesus encourages us to focus on our worldview and the "light" within us, to focus our "eye" on the "light" in order to truly "Light Up Your Life."
DATE: October 17, 2021 THEME: Hear and Keep the Word SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:27-28
Who would have thought that only two seemingly insignificant verses would pack such a punch of goodness? A woman was seemingly trying to offer Jesus a compliment, however Jesus would not allow for a misplaced identity to be placed upon Him. He turned this moment into a powerful teaching moment to display what God truly values in the Kingdom of God.
DATE: October 10, 2021 THEME: Replacing Evil with Good SCRIPTURE: Luke 11: 14-26
The Chosen TV Series illustrates a beautiful picture of exorcism and the Spiritual battle that Jesus is raging against. The passage we discuss in this sermon is from a time when Jesus is delivering a man from a mute demon and is accused of casting out said demon in the name of Beelzebul. We dive into this deity, how Jesus gives a rebuttal for their false narrative, and what His practice truly is when it comes to demonic deliverance as He replaces evil with good, then and still today.
DATE: October 3, 2021 THEME: Praying the Father's Heart SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:1-13
We've often read the "LORD's Prayer", but what does it mean? Is it just a framework with or through which to pray, or is there something deeper? Jesus shows us how to pray and He uses prayer to show us the Father's heart.
DATE: Sept 26, 2021 THEME: Walk In & Reveal TOV SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:36-42
The account of Mary and Martha displays for us the difference between someone who knows what is truly TOV (good) and what is busy simply for the sake of being "busy." It shows us how we need to walk in TOV to reveal and bring others into the Kingdom of Heaven.
DATE: September 19, 2021 THEME: Developing a Culture of TOV SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:25-37
Jesus' point when He preached about the "Good Samaritan" was to develop a culture of TOV (goodness). This concept of "Goodness" is one of the fruit of the Spirit, the evidence of God's presence in someone's life. Jesus used this parable as an illustration of what God's goodness looks like in action. So, how does this parable help us to develop this same culture in our own personal lives, families, churches, and the world?
DATE: September 12, 2021 THEME: Walk in God's Authority SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:17-24
Jesus pulls back the curtain on the spiritual realm to show the spiritual reality going on behind the scenes of His earthly ministry and the ministry of the Church today. Jesus's words are powerful to us to walk in the authority He has given us to reveal Christ and through Him to reveal the Father to the nations. Because where Christ's Church knows their identity and walks in their identity with courageous humility, there it is great joy!
DATE: September 6, 2021 THEME: From Disciples to Disciple-Makers and Kingdom Shakers SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:1-16
Jesus calls Christians to first BE disciples then SENDS them to MAKE disciples and shake the nations with the gospel of the Kingdom. In this sermon, we take a deeper look at God's heart, Jesus' calling, and the GOODness of our assignment in this world.
DATE: August 29, 2021 THEME: Yearn for God SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:57-62
We take a look at 3 people who responded to the call/desire to follow Jesus. The base desire of these were good, but they became potentially hindering circumstances. God calls His disciples from their yearnings to devotion, because the cure for our yearning is devotion to Christ and His goodness. He and His people (the Church) are our "home", "family", and "relationships."
DATE: August 25, 2021THEME: Welcome JesusSCRIPTURE: Luke 9:51-56
When Jesus began making His way to Jerusalem, He decided to stop and do ministry in Samaria (as was a usual practice of Jesus), however, one village rejected Him and another welcomed Him. What does it mean to "Welcome Jesus" and to receive the blessing of love and relationship with Him?
DATE: August 18, 2021 THEME: What God Calls Great SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:46-50 GUEST PREACHER: David Runia
David Runia, Teaching Pastor at C3, joins us to bring us a great message about what "Greatness" looks like in the kingdom of God vs. the world. How we rate ourselves and our lives in accordance with a kingdom view of greatness rather than a worldly view of "greatness" is vital to our motivation and spiritual walk.
DATE: August 11, 2021 THEME: Majesty of God SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:37-45
What do Jesus and Peter Pan have to do with each other? During this sermon, we take a closer look into the man who brought his son to be delivered from a demon by Jesus, how and why Jesus responds the way He did, and what the implications of this miracle are in light of the pagan culture surrounding worship of Pan in Caesarea Philippi.
DATE: August 4, 2021 THEME: Die to Self to Truly Live SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:18-36
What/Who is the trajectory setter of our lives? Is it truly the LORD? Or do we place things, addictions, or other gods on the throne of our hearts to direct our lives? When we die to self THAT is when we discover what TRULY brings life.
DATE: July 28, 2021 THEME: More Than Enough SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:10-17
The narrative of Jesus feeding the crowd of 5000+ people is famous! What is going on that makes this not simply a miraculous moment in Jesus' ministry, but a ministry truth for all time and for us today? This account is Jesus telling His disciples that He takes their "not enough" and makes it MORE than enough!
DATE: July 21, 2021 THEME: Whispers of Renewal SCRIPTURES: Luke 9:1-10 GUEST PREACHER: Cody Whittington
Cody, pastor of Teaching and Discipleship at The Table Community, that meets here at SHIFT church joins us for a special sermon as we continue our series through Luke, as we long for renewal in our culture and here at SHIFT church.
DATE: June 30, 2021 THEME: He Loves Me SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:22-25
Jesus calmed the storm because He is God. That's the "what" and the "how." But WHY did Jesus calm the storm? What was He trying to communicate? Just that He's a powerful God over His over creation? Yes...and more!
DATE: June 16, 2021 THEME: The Women SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:1-3
Jesus led a very counter cultural ministry that offended many. He proclaimed a new and controversial socio-political structure counter to the Roman and Jewish cultures, extended an invitation to the least valued and respected people in society, even being followed by women (which was scandalous). Luke reminds us again, how and why Jesus is for Everyone!
DATE: June 23, 2021 THEME: Cultivate Your Soil SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:4-15
Jesus' point in the parable of the Seed and the Sower is all about the quality of the soil as to how it receives the word of God. It also presupposes inclusion in the kingdom God, not how to access it. What does this have to do with the lives of us in the kingdom of God today?
DATE: June 2, 2021 THEME: Greater SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:17-35
John’s disciples come up to Jesus to ask Him if He’s “the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus gives them a great visual answer of the works He’s doing. He tells the crowd about the “greatness” of John…BUT the “greaterness” of someone else. Check out who He’s talking about!
DATE: May 30, 2021 THEME: Compassion For Life SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:11-17; 1 Kings 17:8-24
Jesus' compassion led Him to heal and raise people from the dead. We investigate when Jesus brought the widow's son back to life, why Jesus did that for them, and what He is saying for us today.
DATE: May 16, 2021 THEME: Where Do You Stand? SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:39-40; Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Jesus gives 4 caricatures of God's "Why" as to why and how we ought to love our enemies and forgive others. His points are not complicated. They're so simple, even children can understand them. Jesus' main idea throughout all of these sections is "Where do you stand?" Are you blind, log eyed, a bad tree/fruit, and your life built on sand? Or are you perceiving, clear eyed, a good tree/fruit and a life built on the solid rock foundation of God?
DATE: May 9, 2021 TOPIC: Open Hearts Open Hands (Don't Judge) SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:37-40
What does God want FOR me, not specifically FROM me when it comes to my relationship with others when they wrong me? God is generous...what does that mean when it comes to judgement, condemnation, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and compassion...?
DATE: May 2, 2021 THEME: Love Transforms Your Enemies SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:27-36
Jesus came to make bad guys (haters) and turn them into good guys (lovers) of God and followers of the Way. He is inviting us and commanding us to join Him in His great mission of reconciliation. Are you capable of loving those who opposed you, attack you, or simply disagree with you?
DATE: April 25, 2021 THEME: When Jesus Shifts Your Trajectory & Destiny SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:12-26
When Jesus called the 12 Disciples (which He also called "Apostles"), He was shifting the trajectory and destiny of their entire lives! Jesus loves to do change everything. This is the power of our testimony. Our testimony is how we share the story of Jesus. It is our story of God in our lives.
DATE: April 18, 2021 THEME: Is Jesus your Way, Truth, and Life? SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:1-11
The LORD is our Benevolent Dictator on the throne of authority in our lives. This is the essence of placing our faith and allegience in God. Jesus uses this illustration of the Sabbath in His discussion and debate with the Pharisees to show that He is the LORD of all of life.
DATE: April 11, 2021 THEME: Juxtaposing the JoyLESS with the JoyFUL SCRIPTURE: Luke 5:27-39
What does it mean to live a joy-filled life in the middle of difficult circumstances? *SPOILERS: It's not living in joyless religiosity. The New Creation is too colorful and dynamic to try repairing the old worn out law that could not save. The gospel of the New Covenant Kingdom of God cannot be contained by the old unyielding structures.
DATE: March 28, 2021 THEME: Jesus is for Everyone SCRIPTURE: Luke 5:27-32
Jesus's ministry is defined by His calling of each person. He shows how His methods are not like those of the religious elite. He was criticized for his disassociation with the religious and association with the irreligious.
DATE: March 21, 2021 TOPIC: Beyond Expectations SCRIPTURE: Luke 5:17-26
The best way we love people is by bringing them to Jesus. How can you love people in your life by bringing them to Jesus as these 4 men did for their paralyzed friend?
DATE: March 14TOPIC: Back to the PartySCRIPTURE: Luke 5:12-16
There is so much going on in the scripture beyond the words on the page. What is going on behind the scenes between Jesus and the man with leprosy? More than you could imagine!
*Apologies for not having the first 5 minutes of this sermon. We had technical difficulties with the file being corrupted.
DATE: February 28, 2021 TOPIC: Compassion Compels SCRIPTURE: Luke 4:31-44
Jesus's compassion compelled Him to wield His power & authority to cultivate restoration. In this section of Luke, we see how Jesus fought the very real spiritual battle against demonic presence and sickness that He empowers us to walk victoriously in today.
DATE: February 14, 2021 THEME:: When I'm Tempted, Remember; He Descended, I'm Defended SCRIPTURE: Luke 4:1-13
Jesus' temptation reminds us that He has been where we are. He's been tempted like Adam & Eve and Israel, and yet succeeded on our behalf. Why does this matter? What did Jesus' temptation display to us today?
DATE: February 7, 2021 TOPIC: Legacy Identity Destiny SCRIPTURE: Luke 3:23-4:2
Not many people look forward to the genealogy accounts in scripture, but they tell a powerful story of Jesus' legacy with informed His identity and empowered Him to live into His destiny. This is what God does to our story as well. Jesus wants to use His Story to redeem your story because your legacy informs your identity which God uses to empower your destiny.
DATE: January 31, 2021 TOPIC: Ordinary Spaces to Extraordinary Places SCRIPTURE: Luke 3:21-22
We slow down to watch Jesus' baptism (being fully immersed into water symbolizing initiation and inauguration) and ask the question "WHY was Jesus baptized?" Luke gives us a powerful picture of the glory of God and our place in His baptism as we read about Jesus' baptism.
DATE: January 24, 2021 TOPIC: Live a Life of Intimacy SCRIPTURE: Luke 3:1-20
John preached a "Baptism of Repentance"...what does THAT mean...? What did it mean to them 2000 years ago, and what does it mean on this side of the New Covenant in 21st century for us today?
DATE: January 10, 2021 TOPIC: The Restoration of Hope SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:21-35
Simeon and Anna were both waiting for the "consolation" and "restoration" of Israel. We today are waiting for the hope of God's great consolation and restoration of the Church, God's people!
DATE: January 3, 2021 TOPIC: The Passover Lamb of God SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-20
It can be difficult to see the birth narrative of Jesus Christ through the lens of historical reality amongst the trappings and mysticism of the Christmas season. Music, art, drama, and many things can serve more as distractions from the reality of the incarnation. In this sermon, we take a deeper look and uncover some powerful realities that serve to encourage and strengthen our faith.
DATE: December 20, 2020 TOPIC: See Through the Eyes of Grace SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:57-80
This morning, we will explore the sweet and powerful story of the Birth of John and the prophesy Zechariah speaks. Zechariah's view of his own circumstances was given clarity through the Holy Spirit. We learn that when you see through the eyes of Grace, it keeps your focus on home base.
DATE: December 13, 2020 TOPIC: God Loves the Underdog SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-56
Luke shows us God's heart that He loves the underdog. Each story in Luke highlights this, especially in the account of the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. God loves using the nobody's from nowhere through the power of His Holy Spirit, so that what is impossible with humans is possible with God.
DATE: December 6, 2020 TOPIC: Everyone is born to make much of Jesus SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:5-25
Looking at the King, the Priest, and the Angel - we look at how no matter how desperate and evil the times and circumstances get, God is always working in the midst of it, and in this passage of Luke, we look at how God uses Zechariah and Elizabeth; a devout man and a devout woman living a devout life, being used by God to make way for the coming Messiah, the hope of the world.
DATE: November 29, 2020 TOPIC: Jesus For Everyone SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:1-4
We open this series on the Story of Jesus by discussing the origins and history of the writing of the gospel narrative of Luke who compiled a collection of eyewitness testimonies and research to given us an orderly sequence to give the reader confidence in the true message of Jesus Christ. And it is a faith that is confidently based upon fact and truth that gives us hope as followers of Jesus!