Jewel Lake Parish Sermon Podcast

All of the "big names" of the Bible--people that God used to achieve great things--had a history. Moses was a murder, Paul persecuted the church? How did they deal with their past? What can we learn from them to help us deal with our own past? Pastor Luke looks at Acts 9:1-17 in "Rethink the Past," part 3 of his 4-part series, "Rethink."

How do you introduce yourself to a stranger? How would someone else introduce you? Introductions tell us what people think about someone. If you died, how do you think God would introduce you to the angels? It might not be what you think, so maybe you should rethink yourself. Pastor Luke preaches from Galatians 4:1-11 in "Rethink Yourself," part 2 of his 4-part series, "Rethink."

Sometimes we think God has a personality disorder. The God revealed in Jesus is so forgiving and nice, but in the Old Testament, God seems harsh and judgmental. Which is the right picture? The answer requires us to rethink God. Pastor Luke preaches from John 10:1-18 in "Rethink God," the first message in a new series, "Rethink."

Three of the four biographies of Jesus describe an occasion when his appearance was transfigured. So what? What makes the transfiguration significant is how much Jesus changed before it ever happened. Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 9:28-43 in "Transfigured."

Jesus taught his disciples not to judge, but not many outsiders would describe the church as a judgment-free zone. Shouldn't the church stand out in this area? Jesus teaches his disciples why judging is a bad idea. Pastor Luke teaches from Matthew 7:1-6 in "Judging," the concluding message in his series, "Being Perfect."

When Jesus taught his disciples about being perfect, he told them not to worry about anything - even basic necessities like food and clothing. But our worries are just getting started there. How can we not worry, when there's so much to worry about? Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 6:25-34 in "Borrowed Trouble," part 4 of his 5-part series, "Being Perfect."

Jesus taught his disciples that no one can serve both God and money. But how many people lie awake at night worrying about money? How many people lie awake worrying about God? Jesus came so we wouldn't have to worry about either one. Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 6:19-24 in "Expendable," part 3 of his 5-part series, "Being Perfect."

What would your spirituality look like if you were cast away on a desert island? This question helps us access the spirituality that Jesus taught was the most rewarding kind. Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 6:1-19 in "Virtue Signaling," part 2 of his 5-part series, "Being Perfect."

Jesus says his followers are to be perfect, like their Father in Heaven. That doesn't sound easy. Jesus teaches us it's not just hard, it's almost unimaginable. Why would we do that? Why would we even try to do it? Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 5:38-48 in "Rain or Shine," the first message in a new series, "Being Perfect."

When the boy Jesus astounded the teachers in the Temple, it wasn't to show us what it would be like if God came to earth. It showed what it's like when humanity is restored to God's intention. It showed us what it's like when we receive eternal life. What is stopping us from enjoying that kind of life ourselves? Pastor Luke teaches from Colossians 3:12-17 in "The Message of Christ."

Christmas cards and songs tell us about "Peace on Earth." What if Christmas just stresses us out? How can we believe there's peace on earth if we're stressed out? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 2:1-20 in "Heavenly Peace."

Advent reminds us that God means what he says, whether it's warning about coming judgment, or promising relief from hard circumstances. But what about when God is silent? Or was silent, when we longed to hear from him? What then? Pastor Luke looks at Luke 1:65-80 in "Dawn From On High," the concluding message in his series, "Promise Keeper."

Want to know how can you have a great Christmas this year? Some people have a certain ornament or food or tradition that makes Christmas special. People have worryied about the holidays since before there was a Christmas, but there's an easy way to make sure Christmas will be special. Pastor Luke teaches from Ezra 1:1-4,3:1-3,10-13 in "Building a Temple," part 3 of his 4-part series, "Promise Keeper."

Prophets often delivered bad news that things would get worse. But depending on your circumstances--like, when things are really bad, and each day's news seems worse than yesterday's --a prophet has a harder job: to proclaim hope. Pastor Luke looks at Isaiah 40:1-10 in "Real Help for Real Problems," part 2 of his 4-part series, "Promise Keeper."

What does it mean that God is a promise keeper? What if we don't like the promises? When he set out to repair the Temple, King Josiah, one of the rulers of God's people, learned what it meant to serve a God who keeps promises. Pastor Luke looks at 2 Kings 22:1-23:3 in "Promise Keeper," the first message in a new series, "Promise Keeper."

When has an opportunity presented itself and you didn't know whether to take it or let it pass by? Matthew's biography of Jesus describes a time when one disciple took an opportunity that eleven let go by. What does that story teach us today? Pastor Luke teaches from Matthew 14:20-32 in "Stepping Out," the concluding message in his series, "House Money."

Part of being good managers or stewards of the things that God has entrusted to us means using them in ways that align with God's values. Jesus taught a parable that showed how generosity is at the center of God's personality. Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 20:1-16 in "Cornelius," part 2 of his 3-part series, "House Money."

How can we be good managers of what God has entrusted to us? Jesus pointed to a dishonest manager and said his followers could learn a lot from people like him. Wait, what? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 16:1-9 in "House Money," the first message in a new series, "House Money."

The best part of the good news about Jesus is that he rose from the dead. That means we can go to heaven when we die. But it means so much more: it means that heaven comes to us, and comes not when we die, but right now. It means we are God's new creation. Pastor Luke teaches from 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2 in "New Creation," the concluding message in his series, "News, Not Advice."

According to the early church, the death of Jesus is at the very core of the Good News. Why? How can one more death -- even the death of Jesus -- be good news in a world filled with too much death and violence already? Pastor Luke looks at Romans 5:1-11 in "Reconciliation," part 4 of his 5-part series, "News, Not Advice."