Jewel Lake Parish Sermon Podcast

One practice can limit our growth as disciples, and also limit our effectiveness in disciple-making: the practice of celebration. Christians sometimes fail to communicate the good news of grace in Jesus Christ because they don't act like it really is good news. The story of one of Jesus' disciples illustrates how Jesus wants us to benefit from celebration. Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 5:27-38 in "R.S.V.P.," part 3 of his 6-part series, "Discipleship."

If the church is called to make disciples, we have to start by asking what we mean by disciples. Aren't we disciples? How are we supposed to make new disciples? Part of the answer comes to us from the story of a non-Israelite named Naaman. Pastor Luke teaches from 2 Kings 5:1-16 in "Take the Plunge," the first message in a new series, "Discipleship."

Mark's account of Easter morning includes a detail the other accounts lack: the women were concerned about who would roll the stone from the tomb. This makes Mark's account uniquely useful for people trying to decide what they believe, and whether they can lean their lives against Jesus. Pastor Luke preaches from Mark 16:1-8 in "Empty Tomb."

When Jesus came to Jerusalem, the crowds welcomed him as a political savior. Well-meaning people mixed faith with politics, and they got it all wrong. How, then, should our faith inform our politics -- and what are the risks if we get it wrong? Pastor Luke looks at Mark 11:1-11 in "Liberator."

When he taught about oaths, Jesus said not to swear at all. Why not? If we're sincere about something we say, what harm comes from making it a promise, or even an oath? According to Jesus, it's better to simply state your intention, even if you might fail. Why is that? Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 5:33-37 in "White Lies," the concluding message in his series, "Harder Than Justice."

The Law provided regulations governing marriage and divorce. When Jesus talked about them, he said that was just the beginning, the tip of the iceberg. But since people already struggle to keep their marital vows, why did Jesus make it even harder? The reason was because he wants people to have great marriages. How does that work? Pastor Luke teaches from Matthew 5:27-32 in "Love and Marriage," part 3 of his 4-part series, "Harder Than Justice."

According to Jesus, our problem isn't God's Law--it's us. We don't do what God wants. Jesus explained that by talking about murder. But we obey that law--in fact, most of us can't imagine not obeying it. So what was Jesus getting at? Pastor Luke teaches from Matthew 5:21-26 in "Crimes of Passion," part 2 of his 4-part series, "Harder Than Justice."

People wanted to know if Jesus was opposed to the Law. If so, they wondered how could society function without it. But if not, why did Jesus associate with Lawbreakers? Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 5:17-20 in "Harder Than Justice (Part 1)," the first message in a new series, "Harder Than Justice."

Is Jesus our King, or just someone we admire? The Transfiguration reminds us that Jesus is the Son of Man who was given dominion over all things. Why does that matter? Aren't kings an outmoded, old-fashioned ideas? Why would we want one? Pastor Luke looks at Mark 9:2-9 in "Up on a Mountain."

The benediction concludes with "the communion of the Holy Spirit." What is that? How is it a vital part of the Christian life? Pastor Luke teaches from Romans 12:3-18 in "The Communion of the Holy Spirit - Part Three of "The Benediction"," the concluding message in his series, "The Bendiction."

Benedictions in the Bible usually refer to the grace of Jesus Christ, a free gift that reconnects us to God. What happens to us when we are reconnected? Pastor Luke looks at 1 John 4:9-21 in "The Love of God - Part Two of "The Benediction"," part 2 of his 3-part series, "The Bendiction."

Most of the letters we find in the Bible conclude with a specific blessing: that the grace of Jesus would be with the readers. What does it mean to say that? Pastor Luke preaches from 2 Corinthians 13:13 in "Grace - Part One of "The Benediction"," the first message in a new series, "The Bendiction."

New Years' Resolutions are the things we start and, sometimes, follow through with. What about the things we don't even start? Most of us have a list of things we'd like to do, but inertia or fear keeps us from doing. What can we learn from Jesus about them? Pastor Luke teaches from Mark 1:4-11 in "Activate."

The wise men returned to their home country by "another road." Encounters with Christ are likely to do that. Jesus' followers find themselves diverted in new directions. Have you encountered Christ? If so, how has it changed the road your life's journey is on? Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 2:1-12 in "A Different Road."

The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is a strange time: in just a few days, in the new year, things will change. But they haven't changed yet. The past 2,000 years have been like that: when Jesus returns, things will change. But they haven't changed yet. What should we do in the meantime? Pastor Luke looks at Titus 2:11-14 in "The Glorious Appearing."

The Christmas story tells us "there were shepherds in that region living in the fields..." Why would the angel tell them about Jesus' birth? If an angel went to shepherds, what does that mean for us? Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 2:1-20 in "Nearby Shepherds."

We've seen that Christmas is for people in all kinds of situations. But sometimes the immediate crisis keeps us from appreciating the promise of Christmas. What can we hold onto when our life has been turned upside down? Pastor Luke looks at Luke 1:26-38 in "Much Perplexed," the concluding message in his series, "Who is Christmas For."

So much of what we enjoy at Christmas is friends and family. We enjoy those relationships and being part of a group. But groups have insides and outsides, and it's not fun to be outside. Is Christmas like that? Is it for the insiders only, or is Christmas for outsiders too? Pastor Luke teaches from Ruth 4:1-10 in "Outsiders," part 3 of his 4-part series, "Who is Christmas For."

Sometimes, we look around and we don't like where things are headed. Things we're counting on don't look as trustworthy as we'd hoped they'd be. What should we do then? A prostitute living in Canaan a thousand years before Jesus faced that same problem. What can we learn about faith from a prostitute? Pastor Luke teaches from Joshua 2:1-13 in "Trading Up," part 2 of his 4-part series, "Who is Christmas For."

At the beginning of his biography of Jesus, Matthew calls our attention to an awkward story from the Old Testament. Why? Every family has skeletons in its closet: things we know about, but don't talk about. So why does Matthew dredge that stuff up now? Pastor Luke teaches from Genesis 38:1-28 in "Skeletons in the Closet," the first message in a new series, "Who is Christmas For."