audio

Our world focuses on externals.  We love production, accomplishing things, and defeating the opposition.  In Luke 18, Jesus calls people to the radical path of humility.  Today's message shares the life-line that Jesus offers those of us that live our lives gasping for approval. 

Many sociologists today argue that the greatest social crisis we face in America is the decline and absence of fatherhood.  In 1960 only 9% of children grew up without a father in the home.  In the year 2000, that number has ballooned to over 40%.  Whether we have grown up with a great father or without one, we often project our experience onto God.

Luke 15 and the Parable of the Lost Son is a favorite passage from the Bible for many people.  In this amazing passage Jesus speaks a powerful message to people who are alienated from God because of rebellion and resentment.  Luke 15 tells the story of two lost sons and one prodigal father.  Today's message focuses on what it means to be separated from God and living life in the "distant country."  

The previous message was about Humility.  In Luke 14 this theme emerges as does the theme of Hospitality.  We make excuses to the welcome Jesus extends to each of us.  We also make excuses for why we cannot show hospitality to people that are not like "us."  Beneath all of our excuses is pride.  The overflow of the humility that the kingdom produces is hospitality. 

People love identitiy markers.  We love to know - "Who's in and Who's out."  Jesus amazed people and left them astonished because He challenged the boundary markers of His day.  Jesus challenges the boundary markers we use today as well.  Today's message is a radical call to humility and is based on Luke 14:1-14. 

What does a follower of Jesus look like?  What kind of life would you expect from someone who is in a relationship with Jesus?  This message looks at Luke 12-13 and three parables that highlight three characteristics of a follower of Jesus:  Generosity, Accountability, and Trust. 

Here is a good resource on this theme:
Following Jesus, by N.T. Wright

It is one thing to understand the message of the Bible, and an entirely different thing to internalize it and to live it out.  Today's message looks at the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37.  In this passage we see that Jesus calls His followers to "proclaim" the message of the Good News through the relationships and the love/concern they have for all people at all times.

"Jesus Christ is personified wisdom."  People look to many things for wisdom and within time discover that the so-called wisdom proves to be folly.  Today's message is a great introduction to the parables of Jesus and to the wisdom of not only His teaching, but of His life.  The power of this parable is that we don't "work real hard" to try and live out its teaching, but we rejoice in who Christ is on our behalf!

Here is a good book that might be helpful:

Our world is fascinated when a new leader, coach, teacher, or CEO takes over for a company, organization, team, or classroom.  In Luke 6, Jesus lays out the "values" statement of the community in which He intends to build.  His message is shocking.  When put into action, these values cause followers of Jesus to do the unthinkable: to love our enemies; to pray for those who accuse us; and to serve people without asking - "What will I get in return?"  Where does the power for this kind of love come from?  Is the gospel really suffici

People expect good news for the weathly, the popular, the healthy and the successful.  The good news that Jesus began preaching in Luke 4 is a message for the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized.  Today's message continues our series in the gospel of Luke and is based on Luke 4:14-30. 

Here are a few recommended resources:
The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard