Jewel Lake Parish Sermon Podcast

Membership in a church is different from membership in a health club. But they are similar in one way: people go to them because they want to make some changes in their life. Health clubs use treadmills, weights, universal machines, and so forth. What are the tools used by the church to help them develop as Christians? Pastor Luke preaches from Colossians 3:1-17 in "Fitness," part 4 of his 7-part series, "Signs of Life."

People who join a church become members. Sometimes, churches can be more concerned about what the members bring to the church than what the church can do to help its members. To prevent that error, churches need to be intentional about making disciples. Pastor Luke teaches from Colossians 3:1-17 in "Becoming, Not Being," part 3 of his 7-part series, "Signs of Life."

We had time for three mini-sermons in our occasional series of "EXTREME Preaching". We talked about tithing, about whether God answers prayers of intercession for nonbelievers, and about terrorism. Pastor Luke looks at Malachi 3:8-10 in "EXTREME Preaching."

The first "Sign of Life" is going out and engaging the world, and inviting people to come and find out about Jesus. For that strategy to work, the church has to welcome strangers. How can the church do that? Two stories from the Scriptures tell us how. Pastor Luke looks at Luke 7:36-50 in "Twenty-one Quarts and an Alabaster Jar," part 2 of his 7-part series, "Signs of Life."

Since Jesus was all about bringing "release to the captives," authoritarian regimes have always opposed his Church. Tyrants agree with Jesus about what makes the Church effective, and it isn't our fancy buildings. So what is it? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 1:1-12 in "Go!," the first message in a new series, "Signs of Life."

In the world, people often measure how they're doing compared to the people around them. And, too often, they act that way in the church too. What's wrong with that? And what can be done about it? Pastor Luke looks at 1 Corinthians 1:16-31 in "Things That Are Not," the concluding message in his series, "1 Corinthians 1."

What should we do in response to evil? The answer to that question is near the heart of the Gospel, according to the Apostle Paul. We can answer it by looking to see what God did. But you might not like it. Pastor Luke teaches from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 in "SCANDAL," part 3 of his 4-part series, "1 Corinthians 1."

Two thousand years ago, Paul was alarmed to learn that the Corinthian church was developing factions that argued with each other. When it happens today, we may be depressed, but we aren't surprised. But Paul also told the church what to do about their factions. What can he teach us? Pastor Luke preaches from 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 in "Which Team Are You On?," part 2 of his 4-part series, "1 Corinthians 1."

The Apostle Paul's letter to the church in the Greek city of Corinth is like a menu for every type of dysfunction a church could experience. It might be surprising, then, how Paul begins that letter: by giving thanks for how God had blessed the church. Pastor Luke teaches from 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 in "I Give Thanks," the first message in a new series, "1 Corinthians 1."

"It is to your advantage that I go away," Jesus said, "for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." At Pentecost, we celebrate how Jesus kept his promise and sent the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate. Why is that to our advantage? Pastor Luke looks at Numbers 11:16-17,24-30 in "All the Lord's People."

"You cannot have God for your Father if you do not have the Church for your mother," according to Cyprian, a leader in the early church and martyr. What did he mean? Is it true? How is the Church like a mother? Pastor Luke preaches from Galatians 4:19-5:1 in "Listen to Your Mother."

People wonder, and sometimes debate, what Jesus looked like, but his Ascension reminds us that he still looks that way. He is still human, and will be when he returns someday. So where is Jesus now, and what's he doing there? Pastor Luke teaches from Ephesians 2:1-10 in "The Bridge."

A clear vision of what you're trying to do helps you set goals and strategies. It's helpful to take time to recalibrate whenever you finish something. It's even more important when you're having trouble getting it done. Pastor Luke teaches from Acts 16:4-15 in "Itinerary," the concluding message in his series, "Now What?."

Growth is when people participate in the life of a church. But a lot of people aren't likely to do that, and often, they have good reasons not to. What does the church do then? The same thing Jesus did for the world. Pastor Luke teaches from Acts 8:4-8,26-39 in "Jump Right In," part 3 of his 4-part series, "Now What?."

Growth is something a lot of churches are unfamiliar with, especially in the Mainline, where as many as 90% of churches are plateaued or declining. But the early church can teach us, not only that it's natural for healthy churches to grow, but also how to deal with growing pains. Pastor Luke looks at Acts 5:40-6:7 in "Systems," part 2 of his 4-part series, "Now What?."

The Risen Lord Jesus gave his disciples a commission to be his witnesses, and the church did so for many centuries. Lately, however, the techniques the church has used have become less effective. But Jesus tells us how we can be effective again. Pastor Luke preaches from Acts 1:1-14 in "Waiting," the first message in a new series, "Now What?."

Because the women who found the Tomb empty forgot how Jesus had predicted his own death and resurrection, they were puzzled about what happened to his body. But behind the problem they faced lies a deeper mystery: what does it mean that Christ was raised from the dead? And what does it mean for us today? Pastor Luke teaches from 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 in "It's a Start."

For decades, faith-based movies like "Ben Hur" or "The Passion" have tried to help audiences understand what Christ did on the Cross. But the reality was far more costly than we can possibly understand. Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 23:39–56 in "Torn Apart."

The week that began with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and ended with the Cross and Resurrection was the focal point of all of God's work in salvation. The threads that run through history are woven through Holy Week, extending not only backwards but also forward to our own time. Pastor Luke looks at Luke 23:39–56 in "Bringer of Peace."

All of us have questions about how to have a better future. And we may resent God not giving us the guidance we want, or be anxious that God will punish us for making the wrong decisions. If that describes you, maybe you should rethink the future. Pastor Luke preaches from Numbers 13:25-14:9 in "Rethink the Future," the concluding message in his series, "Rethink."