Jewel Lake Parish Sermon Podcast

Jesus did something unimaginably shocking, John tells us, at the beginning of his ministry, when he drove the moneychangers from the Temple. What made him do it? And is this incident just a historical curiosity, or does it still say something about how people should approach God in worship today? Pastor Luke teaches from John 2:13-25 NLT in "Cleaning House - Come and See, Part 3," part 3 of his 6-part series, "Come and See."

Anything can happen when Jesus comes to your party. It might keep going instead of breaking up early. Instead of being humiliated, people might be made to look generous. And we might learn something about how the world works – something amazing. Pastor Luke preaches from John 2:1-11 NLT in "Water to Wine - Come and See, Part 2," part 2 of his 6-part series, "Come and See."

"What is it you want?" Jesus asked the first people to follow him. What are we looking for? Most of us are looking for something, or feel there's something maybe we ought to be looking for. Jesus told those first followers they would find what they were seeking -- and far more than that. All they needed to do was "come and see." Pastor Luke preaches from John 1:29-51 NLT in "There He Goes - Come and See, Part 1," the first message in a new series, "Come and See."

In our occasional "EXTREME Preaching" series, we covered two subjects\: (1) what kind of teaching we find in the book of Ecclesiastes, and how we can apply it in our lives, and (2) what lesson can we learn from Paul's instruction to Titus in Titus 2? Pastor Luke teaches from Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 in "EXTREME Preaching."

Advent is a season of preparation. We've seen how helpful it is to have hope, and purpose, and motivation. But the story of the shepherds shows us one final thing to help us order our lives: the magic word "Let's." Pastor Luke looks at Luke 2:1-20 NLT in "Do You See What I See? - The Hope of Christmas, Part 4," the concluding message in his series, "The Hope of Christmas."

Who is Jesus? That question has been asked by song-writers and by scientists, by artists and archaeologists. What would we see if we could see the real Jesus? Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 2:1-20 NLT in "What Child Is This?."

We've seen how hope and purpose are good, but neither one is a guarantee of success. How can we live lives that make a difference? How can we have an impact? Joseph, the husband of Mary and Jesus' foster father, certainly made a difference. How did he do it? Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 1:18-25 NLT in "Companions - The Hope of Christmas, Part 3," part 3 of his 4-part series, "The Hope of Christmas."

When Gabriel told Mary that she would become pregnant with Jesus, God turned Mary’s whole life upside down. Her plans went flying ... but we know how her story turned out. How about when it happens to us? What does it mean when we get new assignments from God? Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 1:26-38 NLT in "Commission - The Hope of Christmas, Part 2," part 2 of his 4-part series, "The Hope of Christmas."

Christmas is the season of hope, but hope has gotten a bad reputation. What's the point of hoping for something? Isn't hope just a type of escapism? Pastor Luke looks at Luke 1:5-20 NLT in "God Has Heard - The Hope of Christmas, Part 1," the first message in a new series, "The Hope of Christmas."

Jesus taught that he was the King and that when he returns in glory he will judge everyone. But that judgment won't be based on how much trouble we stay out of, or how often we go to church, or pray. The criterion Jesus will consider is how we treat people on the margins of society. What did he mean, and what should we do about it? Pastor Luke teaches from Matthew 25:31-46 NLT in "Hiding in Plain Sight."

Despite what many people think, Christians aren't supposed to be aescetics who deny themselves all kinds of pleasures. Indeed, Christians are expected to feast more often than we fast. So what does the Bible teach us about how to have a good feast? Pastor Luke preaches from 2 Chronicles 30: 1-23 NLT in "Is the 'T' for Turducken, or for Tofurkey?."

We covered 3 subjects in our occasional "EXTREME Preaching" series: (1) what Jesus means when he talks about a reward (Matthew 10) (2) what kind of threat does the devil pose (1 Peter 5) (3) when and how God created humanity (Genesis 1). Pastor Luke looks at Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 in "EXTREME Preaching."

A major concern of the Reformers was that people were to give glory to God, and God alone, when the medieval church encouraged people to admire saints and martyrs. What's wrong with that? -- and more importantly, why is God so worried that someone else might get the glory? Pastor Luke looks at Hebrews 11:32-12:4 NLT in "Hall of Famer - Long Live the Reformation, Part 5," the concluding message in his series, "Long Live the Reformation."

Jesus reconnects people to God as a gift. Our role is simply to trust that he has. But trusting is hard, and sometimes we try to turn trusting Jesus into an act on our part. How can we know if we're trusting Jesus, or trying to trust ourselves? Pastor Luke preaches from Genesis 15:1-6 NLT in "Trust - Long Live the Reformation, Part 4," part 4 of his 5-part series, "Long Live the Reformation."

The reformers stressed that Jesus reconnects people as a gift. You don't have to do anything to earn it or to qualify for it. But what happens if you try anyway? Even if you need Jesus to do some or all the work, isn't it a good idea to contribute your own effort as well? Pastor Luke preaches from Galatians 5:1-6 NLT in "Emancipation - Long Live the Reformation, Part 3," part 3 of his 5-part series, "Long Live the Reformation."

Who can speak to God? We believe that God listens to our prayers ... or do we? Are there prayers that God won't listen to, or won't answer? Can we make sure that God will listen, by having someone holier than us speak on our behalf? Pastor Luke preaches from Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT in "Pontiff - Long Live the Reformation, Part 2," part 2 of his 5-part series, "Long Live the Reformation."

Who can speak on behalf of God? God can speak without an intermediary, but it doesn't seem to happen very often. Yet we believe that God cares about us and the world we live in. If God cares, if the Christian Faith is relevant to the issues of our time, who can say how? And gives them the authority to speak on God's behalf? Pastor Luke looks at Mark 7:1-13 NLT in "Long Live the Reformation - Part 1," the first message in a new series, "Long Live the Reformation."

Like most churches, JLP launches its fall program year with a kick-off Sunday. We invite people to join a small group and find a place to serve in the church and, with the church, in the community. That's great, but Jesus tells his disciples to do something else first. Why? What is it? Pastor Luke looks at Luke 14: 15-34 NLT in "The Cost of Discipleship."

What does Christianity offer its followers? Revelation warns its readers of many persecutions and hardships they will face. What do they get when that's over? John concludes his book with a picture of their destination. It isn't life after death, but something better: what N.T.Wright calls "life *after* life after death." Pastor Luke teaches from Revelation 21:1-6 in "Life After Life After Death - The Big Reveal, Part 7," the concluding message in his series, "The Big Reveal."

The Revelation of John moves toward its completion with the appearance of Babylon, the notorious prostitute. What does this disturbing image mean? Why does John contrast her with Christ, the rider of the white horse, who appears after Babylon's fall? Pastor Luke teaches from Revelation 17:1-6 in "Babylon and Christ - The Big Reveal, Part 6," part 6 of his 7-part series, "The Big Reveal."